A kangaroo is a large Australian animal which moves by jumping on its back legs. Female kangaroos carry their babies in a pouch on their stomach.
kangaroo in British English
(ˌkæŋɡəˈruː)
nounWord forms: plural-roos
1.
any large herbivorous marsupial of the genus Macropus and related genera, of Australia and New Guinea, having large powerful hind legs, used for leaping, and a long thick tail: family Macropodidae
See also rat kangaroo, tree kangaroo
2. (usually plural) stock exchange
an Australian share, esp in mining, land, or a tobacco company
verbWord forms: -roos, -rooing or -rooed
3. informal
(of a car) to move forward or to cause (a car) to move forward with short sudden jerks, as a result of improper use of the clutch
Derived forms
kangaroo-like (ˌkangaˈroo-ˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
C18: probably from a native Australian language
kangaroo in American English
(ˌkæŋgəˈru)
nounWord forms: pluralˌkangaˈroos or ˌkangaˈroo
any of various leaping, plant-eating marsupials (family Macropodidae) native to Australiaand neighboring islands, with short forelegs, strong, large hind legs, and a long, thick tail: the female has a pouch, or marsupium, in front, for her young
Word origin
said (by Cook1) to be native Australian name in Queensland
To see a kangaroo would be to fulfil an ambition from childhood.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
All that's missing is a kangaroo steak.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There was also time for the morale-boosting trip to see kangaroos.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Not only might these be unworkable, but they would still be seen as kangaroo courts.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is made from kangaroo meat, which is very much like venison.
The Sun (2012)
I looked more like a kangaroo with her pouch hanging out to dry.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
I recently bought wild boar, kangaroo steaks and venison.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It's a kangaroo's love pouch.
The Sun (2009)
Or an Aussie favourite - kangaroo steak.
The Sun (2015)
As an extreme example, if you want to cut out methane and you live in Australia you can eat only kangaroo.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Word lists with
kangaroo
male animals, baby and young animals
In other languages
kangaroo
British English: kangaroo /ˌkæŋɡəˈruː/ NOUN
A kangaroo is a large Australian animal. Female kangaroos carry their babies in a pocket on their stomachs.
American English: kangaroo
Arabic: كَنْغَرٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: canguru
Chinese: 袋鼠
Croatian: klokan
Czech: klokan
Danish: kænguru
Dutch: kangoeroe
European Spanish: canguro animal
Finnish: kenguru
French: kangourou
German: Känguruh
Greek: καγκουρό
Italian: canguro
Japanese: カンガルー
Korean: 캥거루
Norwegian: kenguru
Polish: kangur
European Portuguese: canguru
Romanian: cangur
Russian: кенгуру
Latin American Spanish: canguro
Swedish: känguru
Thai: จิงโจ้
Turkish: kanguru
Ukrainian: кенгуру
Vietnamese: chuột túi kangaroo
All related terms of 'kangaroo'
kangaroo dog
an Australian breed of large rough-haired dog that resembles a greyhound and is bred to hunt kangaroos
kangaroo paw
any plant of the Australian genus Anigozanthos , resembling a kangaroo's paw , esp the red-and-green flowered A. manglesii , which is the floral emblem of Western Australia : family Haemodoraceae
kangaroo rat
any small leaping rodent of the genus Dipodomys, related to the squirrels and inhabiting desert regions of North America, having a stocky body and very long hind legs and tails : family Heteromyidae
kangaroo vine
any plant of the climbing genus Cissus , some species of which, esp the kangaroo vine ( C. antarctica ) from Australia, are grown as greenhouse or house plants for their shiny green or mottled leaves: family Vitaceae
rat kangaroo
any of several ratlike kangaroos of the genera Bettongia, Potorous, Aepyprymnus, etc, found on the Australian mainland and in Tasmania
red kangaroo
a large Australian kangaroo , Macropus rufus , the male of which has a reddish coat
tree kangaroo
any of several arboreal kangaroos of the genus Dendrolagus , of New Guinea and N Australia, having hind and forelegs of a similar length and a long tail
kangaroo court
If you refer to a court or a meeting as a kangaroo court , you disapprove of it because it is unofficial or unfair , and is intended to find someone guilty .
kangaroo grass
a tall widespread Australian grass, Themeda australis , which is highly palatable to cattle and is used for fodder
Kangaroo Island
an island in the Indian Ocean , off South Australia . Area: 4350 sq km (1680 sq miles)
kangaroo mouse
any small leaping rodent of the genus Dipodomys, related to the squirrels and inhabiting desert regions of North America, having a stocky body and very long hind legs and tails : family Heteromyidae
kangaroo closure
a form of closure in which the chair or speaker selects certain amendments for discussion and excludes others
potoroo
any small leaping rodent of the genus Dipodomys, related to the squirrels and inhabiting desert regions of North America, having a stocky body and very long hind legs and tails : family Heteromyidae
boongary
a tree kangaroo , Dendrolagus lumholtzi , of northeastern Queensland