wallaroo

noun

wal·la·roo | \ ˌwä-lə-ˈrü

plural wallaroos

Definition of wallaroo

1 : a large reddish-gray kangaroo (Macropus robustus)

— called also euro

2 : either of two kangaroos (Macropus antelopinus and M. bernardus) related to the wallaroo

Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about wallaroo

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Did You Know?

Wallaroos are indeed a kind of kangaroo. That term in its broadest usage refers to any member of the family Macropodidae - which comprises more than 50 species. More specifically, though, "kangaroo" refers to the eastern gray kangaroo, the western gray kangaroo, the red kangaroo, and to the three animals known also as "wallaroos." Like the animals to which they refer, the words "wallaroo" and "kangaroo" are native to Australia. "Wallaroo" is from Dharuk, an Australian aboriginal language of the Port Jackson area; "kangaroo" is from Guugu Yimidhirr, an Australian aboriginal language of northern Queensland. Also from Dharuk is the word wallaby, which refers to small or medium-sized kangaroos, especially those of the genus Macropus.

Examples of wallaroo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An orphaned baby wallaroo is getting round-the-clock care at the Oakland Zoo after his mum died from an infection. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Watch: Orphaned baby wallaroo cared for at Oakland Zoo," 15 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wallaroo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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wallaroo

Definition of wallaroo

Did You Know?

Examples of wallaroo in a Sentence

First Known Use of wallaroo

History and Etymology for wallaroo

wallaroo

Definition of wallaroo

Did You Know?

Examples of wallaroo in a Sentence

First Known Use of wallaroo

History and Etymology for wallaroo

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