Koalas

/koʊˈɑːləz/ noun

Definition

The plural of koala, a gray tree-dwelling marsupial mammal from Australia that eats eucalyptus leaves and looks cuddly but is actually quite grumpy.

Etymology

From an Australian Aboriginal language (possibly Dharug), the word entered English in the early 1800s when European colonists encountered these animals. The spelling and pronunciation were Anglicized over time.

Kelly Says

Koalas aren't actually bears (they're marsupials, not in the bear family at all), but English speakers called them 'koala bears' anyway, so the misnaming is so common that most people think koalas are bears—it's a case where wrong becomes almost right through sheer repetition.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.