noun
koala
koh-AH-luh
Koala (noun) means a tree-dwelling Australian marsupial with a stout grey body, round furry ears, and a diet almost entirely of eucalyptus leaves. Example: “The koala spent most of the day asleep in the fork of a eucalyptus tree.”
noun
1
A tree-dwelling Australian marsupial with a stout grey body, round furry ears, and a diet almost entirely of eucalyptus leaves.
"The koala spent most of the day asleep in the fork of a eucalyptus tree."
"Tourists lined up to have their photo taken holding a koala."
How to use koala
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe cuddly-looking Australian animal that lives in trees and eats eucalyptus.
Common mistake
Koalas are marsupials, not bears — "koala bear" is a common but technically incorrect nickname.
Common pairings
koala bear
baby koala
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Word forms
- Plural
- koalas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ spent most of the day asleep in the fork of a eucalyptus tree.
Etymology
From an Aboriginal Australian word (Dharug "gula"), possibly meaning "no water" — koalas get nearly all their moisture from leaves.
Synonyms
View more →
koala bear
native bear
kangaroo bear
Rhymes for koala
See all rhymes for koala →Frequently asked questions
What does “koala” mean?
The word “koala” means a tree-dwelling Australian marsupial with a stout grey body, round furry ears, and a diet almost entirely of eucalyptus leaves. In plain terms, the cuddly-looking Australian animal that lives in trees and eats eucalyptus.
How do you pronounce “koala”?
“Koala” is pronounced koh-AH-luh (/koʊˈɑː.lə/ in IPA).
How do you use “koala” in a sentence?
Here is “koala” used in a sentence: “The koala spent most of the day asleep in the fork of a eucalyptus tree.”
What part of speech is “koala”?
“Koala” is a noun.
