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

Thylacine research, by the same token, might be a lifeline for koalas by spurring the development of assistive reproductive technologies for marsupials. — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026

Koya is the sleepy koala with baby blue fur and a violet nose. — Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 10 July 2026

Within days, Swift was on the road again, with Kelce joining her in Australia for some koala-cuddling at the zoo. — ABC News, 3 July 2026

Even our darling koala turned to look! — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026

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

• allah
• bala
• cala
• cholla
• mala
• sala
• scala
• amygdala
• areola
• cabala
• corolla
• impala

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