wallaby

American  

[wol-uh-bee] / ˈwɒl ə bi /

noun

plural

wallabies,

plural

wallaby

1. any of various small and medium-sized kangaroos of the genera Macropus, Thylogale, Petrogale, etc., some of which are no larger than rabbits: several species are endangered.

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wallaby ¹ British  

/ ˈwɒləbɪ /

noun

1. any of various herbivorous marsupials of the genera Lagorchestes ( hare wallabies ), Petrogale ( rock wallabies ), Protemnodon, etc, of Australia and New Guinea, similar to but smaller than kangaroos: family Macropodidae

2. slang (of a person) wandering about looking for work

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Wallaby ² British  

/ ˈwɒləbɪ /

noun

1. a member of the international Rugby Union football team of Australia

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Etymology

Origin of wallaby

First recorded in 1790–1800, wallaby is from the Dharuk word wa-la-ba

Compare meaning

How does wallaby compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• wallaby vs. kangaroo

Example Sentences

A white wallaby has been rescued and reunited with its owner after being found on the side of a road in Kent.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2025

It was most likely a mid-speed hopper, something like a swamp wallaby.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2024

Researchers in Australia reintroduced “ecosystem engineers” including species of rat and wallaby, to areas from which they had disappeared.

From Scientific American • Sep. 9, 2023

It is legal to own a wallaby in Oklahoma, but the animal should be registered with the city, Daniels said.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 7, 2023

And wallaby stew is by no means a bad dish: the flesh tastes very much like venison.

From A Boy's Voyage Round the World by Smiles, Samuel