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DictionarywallabySmall kangaroo-like animal
noun

wallaby

WAH-luh-bee/ˈwɑːləbi/

A small or medium-sized kangaroo-like marsupial native to Australia and nearby regions.

The wallaby stands with a joey peeking from its pouch.

A single red-necked wallaby in a clear three-quarter side view, showing its compact body, powerful hind legs, small forepaws, long balancing tail, and a joey peeking from its pouch.
Etymology
wallabyAustralian Aboriginal language (unspecified)small kangaroo

Wolaba named a small kangaroo. The English word preserves that animal-name sense, referring to a small or medium-sized kangaroo-like marsupial.

In context

TurkSplainer0:17
Smaller than its famous cousin, the kangaroo, the wallaby moves with precision.
Wallaby: The Small Jumper That Masters Life in the Wild

More examples

  • The wallaby carries her young in a pouch.
  • Several wallabies graze near the edge of the forest.
  • We watch a wallaby balance on a rocky ledge.

Forms

wallaby · wallabies

Similar words

kangaroo
Usually refers to larger relatives rather than the smaller wallaby.
marsupial
Names the broader animal group that includes wallabies and opossums.