wallaroo

noun

wal·​la·​roo ˌwä-lə-ˈrü 

plural wallaroos

1

: a large reddish-gray kangaroo (Osphranter robustus)

called also euro

2

: either of two kangaroos (O. antelopinus and O. bernardus) related to the wallaroo

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

This extinction, however, did not affect similar animals such as wallaroos and grey kangaroos, for reasons scientists do not fully understand. —Jack Guy, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

One species of kangaroo, a black wallaroo, is listed as near threatened, according to Bush Heritage Australia. —Makiya Seminera, Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024

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, 15 Mar. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of the Port Jackson area) walaru

First Known Use

circa 1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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