joey

¹ American  

[joh-ee] / ˈdʒoʊ i /

noun

Australian.

plural

joeys

1. any young animal, especially a kangaroo.

2. a young child.

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joey ² American  

[joh-ee] / ˈdʒoʊ i /

noun

British Slang.

plural

joeys

1. a threepenny piece.

2. (formerly) a fourpenny piece.

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Joey ³ American  

[joh-ee] / ˈdʒoʊ i /

noun

plural

Joeys

1. a clown, especially in the circus or pantomime and puppet theater.

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Joey ⁴ American  

[joh-ee] / ˈdʒoʊ i /

noun

1. a male given name, form of Joe or Joseph.

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joey British  

/ ˈdʒəʊɪ /

noun

1. a young kangaroo or possum

2. a young animal or child

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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

"The snap judgement I made in these moments was never from a place of harm or stealing a joey," the statement says.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2025

"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

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

Since then, the joey has been developing and growing inside Maya’s pouch, the zoo said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2023

He was wood and water joey at some squatter's place until he seen a motor-car go past one day, the first that ever they had in the districk.

From Three Elephant Power and Other Stories by Paterson, A. B. (Andrew Barton)