joey

IPA/ˈdʒəʊi/
KK[dʒˈoi]IPA/ˈdʒəʊi/

joey — noun

  • joeysingular
  • joeysplural

1. the young of a marsupial that is still carried in and nursed inside its mother's

1.nounB1
Definition

the young of a marsupial that is still carried in and nursed inside its mother's pouch — kangaroos, wallabies, and possums are all born as joeys

Example

Aiko watched a tiny joey climb back into its mother's pouch at the wildlife park.

collocation: mother's pouch

The rescue team fed the orphaned joey warm milk from a bottle every three hours.

rescued joey / orphaned joey in wildlife care

Common collocations
  • mother's pouch
  • orphaned joey
  • newborn joey
  • tiny joey
  • joey in pouch

Usage Note

In Australian informal English, 'joey' can also refer to any very young animal, and occasionally to a human baby.

Common Mistakes

I saw a joey hopping across the field' (when the animal was an adult kangaroo).
I saw a kangaroo hopping across the field with a joey in its pouch.
'joey' always means a baby marsupial, never a fully grown one.

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • joey in pouch

Prepositions

Etymology

Australian Aboriginal languagesAustralian EnglishEnglish

The word 'joey' probably comes from an Australian Aboriginal language of New South Wales, where it meant a young animal. It passed into Australian English during the 19th century and is now the standard name for any baby marsupial, especially kangaroos and wallabies.