koala

IPA/kəʊˈɑːlə/
KK[koˈɑlə]IPA/kəʊˈɑːlə/

koala — noun

  • koalasingular
  • koalasplural

1. a grey-furred marsupial from Australia with a round face, hairy ears, and a very

1.nounA2
Definition

a grey-furred marsupial from Australia with a round face, hairy ears, and a very short tail. This animal makes its home in eucalyptus forests, where it feeds on the leaves.

Example

The koala slept high in the eucalyptus tree while the tourists watched from below.

collocation: koala + eucalyptus tree

In the wildlife park, Priya saw a mother koala carrying her baby on her back.

countable noun with determiner 'a'

Common collocations
  • koala population
  • koala habitat
  • koala sanctuary

Usage Note

Although often called 'koala bears', koalas are marsupials, not bears.

Common Mistakes

I saw a koala bear at the zoo.
I saw a koala at the zoo.
Koalas are not bears; 'koala bear' is a misleading common name.

Etymology

DharugEnglish

The word 'koala' comes from the Dharug language, spoken by Aboriginal people in the Sydney area. In Dharug, 'gula' or 'kulla' means 'no water' — a reference to how koalas rarely drink, getting most of their moisture from eucalyptus leaves.