kangaroo

noun

kan·​ga·​roo ˌkaŋ-gə-ˈrü 

plural kangaroos

: any of various herbivorous leaping marsupial mammals (family Macropodidae) of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands with a small head, large ears, long powerful hind legs, a long thick tail used as a support and in balancing, and rather small forelegs not used in locomotion

Illustration of kangaroo

Examples of kangaroo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From Elle Duncan's OJ-like gloves to having Roger Goodell put on a kangaroo coat, the Netflix broadcasts feel so cheap. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

One of its key initiatives involves working alongside rural Papua New Guinea communities to protect endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroos, which, for the first time in a decade, can be seen at the zoo. — Abigail Bliss, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2026

Two summers ago, the internet received the gift of Raygun, an Australian breakdancer who kangaroo-hopped her way into the 2024 Paris Olympics. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Her Olympic routine soon became a global talking point, especially for its unconventional movements and distinctive style, including kangaroo hopping and the sprinkler. — Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Guugu Yimidhirr (Australian Aboriginal language of northern Queensland) gaŋurru

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kangaroo

• kangaroo court
• kangaroo rat
• red kangaroo

Rhymes for kangaroo

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

Kids Definition

kangaroo

noun

kan·​ga·​roo ˌkaŋ-gə-ˈrü 

plural kangaroos

: any of numerous leaping marsupial mammals of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands that feed on plants and have a small head, long powerful hind legs, a long thick tail used as a support in standing or walking, and in the female a pouch on the abdomen in which the young are carried