koala

noun

ko·​ala kə-ˈwä-lə 

kō-ˈä-

: an Australian arboreal marsupial (Phascolarctos cinereus) that has a broad head, large hairy ears, dense gray fur, and sharp claws and feeds on eucalyptus leaves

called also koala bear

Illustration of koala

Examples of koala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Innovative Nighttime Adventures for... Wildlife Watchers See Kangaroo Island’s nocturnal koalas, echidnas, and wallabies on a night safari with Australia’s Southern Ocean Lodge. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025

Body of knowledge Humans, gorillas, chimpanzees and koalas are the only animals to possess fingerprints unique to each individual, but other animals have ways to distinguish themselves. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025

The big picture: The first two koalas arrived in San Diego 100 years ago, marking the beginning of a partnership with the Taronga Conservation Society Australia. —Kate Murphy, Axios, 19 Feb. 2025

Today’s koala parents are a loose interpretation of that parenting style. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of the Port Jackson area) gula, gulawanʸ

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for koala

• cabala
• corolla
• impala
• kabbalah
• kamala
• masala
• oglala
• allah
• bala
• cala
• cholla
• mala

Kids Definition

koala

noun

ko·​ala kō-ˈäl-ə 

kə-ˈwäl-ə

: an Australian tree-dwelling marsupial mammal that has large hairy ears, thick gray fur, sharp claws for climbing, and no tail and feeds on eucalyptus leaves

called also koala bear