joey
noun
any young animal, especially a kangaroo.
joey
1 American
[joh-ee]
/ ˈdʒoʊ i /
noun
Australian.
-
joeys
plural
-
any young animal, especially a kangaroo.
-
a young child.
joey
2
American
[joh-ee]
/ ˈdʒoʊ i /
noun
British Slang.
-
joeys
plural
-
a threepenny piece.
-
(formerly) a fourpenny piece.
Joey
3
American
[joh-ee]
/ ˈdʒoʊ i /
noun
-
Joeys
plural
Joey
4
American
[joh-ee]
/ ˈdʒoʊ i /
noun
joey
British
/ ˈdʒəʊɪ /
noun
-
a young kangaroo or possum
-
a young animal or child
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of joey1
First recorded in 1830–40; origin uncertain
Origin of joey2
First recorded in 1860–65; named after Joseph Hume (1777–1855), English politician who favored the coinage of the fourpenny piece
Origin of Joey3
1895–1900; diminutive of Joseph, after Joseph Grimaldi
Explanation
A baby kangaroo, koala, and opossum are all known as a joey. Nearly all marsupial mothers carry their joeys in a handy pouch on the front of their bodies. The most well-known joeys are probably tiny kangaroos, but the term applies to all newborn marsupials. Tasmanian devils, wallabies, and wombats fall into this category, and they also tote their joeys around in pouches or pouch-like folds in their abdomens. Etymologists know this word joey first appeared in the early 19th century, but its origin remains a mystery.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"I caught a baby wombat," Ms Jones exclaimed in the video, while the joey, as it's known, could be heard hissing and struggling in her grip.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2025
The Wombat Protection Society said it was shocked to see the "mishandling of a wombat joey in an apparent snatch for 'social media likes'".
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2025
Edwardsville law enforcement and animal control from nearby Bonner Springs responded to calls about the unusual highway sight of a joey, which some mistook for a wallaby.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 30, 2023
Born after about 35 days, a joey uses its sense of smell and strong front legs with claws to climb up its mother’s fur into her downward-facing pouch.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2023
Bobby, he don't know a p'leeceman from a wood-an'-water joey; he'd never have dropped they was comin' here unless they'd pasted up a notice on the door.'
From Robbery under Arms; a story of life and adventure in the bush and in the Australian goldfields by Rolf Boldrewood
Magyar goes months without seeing friends and family, including her husband, Joey Boyes, who also works as a Carnival cruise director.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
But the court order did not prohibit a sale or termination of the trust, lawyers for Janie and Joey argue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
While much of their initial recruitment has been high-profile, such as Samoa half-back Jarome Luai, compatriot Brian To'o, and New Zealand international Joey Manu, Papuan players have also been sought to bolster the ranks.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
The core band here is one that has played with Beck for years—Jason Falkner and Smokey Hormel on electric guitar, Justin Meldal-Johnsen on bass, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. on keyboards and Joey Waronker on drums.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
Joey is the valedictorian, having earned all As and Bs, except for a single C in geometry.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
It was a far cry from the uninspired videos peddled to adolescent girls, a battery of spinning, polished Jordans and Joeys that had long left me confused and a little repulsed.
From New York Times ● Sep. 24, 2020
"Joeys are most active at night-time, so you have to turn your day into night," she says.
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2013
You have your Joeys and you have your Frasiers.
From Time ● Jan. 26, 2012
They call out to each other, a parade of Johnnies and Kennys and Joeys and Ritchies and Debbies.
From Washington Post
As soon as we turned into the entrance, 165 Wayne spotted the blue tents along Joeys street.
From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor
Even as joeys, he found, individual kangaroos seemed to have distinct personalities.
From Science Magazine ● Feb. 25, 2024
Almost 20 years ago, after he saw a video of joeys being killed, English soccer star David Beckham stopped wearing Adidas boots that used kangaroo leather.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 15, 2023
Wildlife officer Lindy Thomas poses with koalas and their joeys produced by artificial insemination at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast, October 30, 2006.
From Reuters ● Jan. 29, 2022
Also, some koala joeys make a big move, while a young nyala must be hand-raised before returning to its herd.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2021
As in loyalty bound, we shall stick to the pound— 'Twould be treason the "sovereign" to banish; But all the half-crowns, "bobs", "joeys", and "browns," Into Royal Mint-sauce must vanish.
From Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853) by Various
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