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

Inside the vehicle, the koala, named Peri, latched onto a yellow handrail and enjoyed the rest of the ride. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), koalas can be found in the eucalyptus forests on Australia’s eastern coast. —Mason Leath, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2025

Opened in 1927 in response to the near-decimation of the koala population in Australia – the cuddly creatures were hunted for their pelts – Lone Pine is now home to about 100 koalas along with other native Australian fauna. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025

So for the love of koalas, take a look at our favorite seating options—your bum will thank you for it. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 21 Nov. 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