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

The kangaroo pockets are a comfy resting place for your hands, phone, and more small essentials. —Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

This sweatsuit is made out of thick, ultra-plush fleece fabric and features an oversized hooded sweatshirt with a large kangaroo pouch perfect for snuggling up in on flights. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025

To play, kids must mimic silly animal poses, while Bluey uses a Magic Asparagus to turn her family into different creatures—like chickens and kangaroos. —Annabelle Canela, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025

Aptly named, the zoo has a kangaroos and emus as well as a young capybara, according to a Facebook post. —Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025

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