kangaroo

[kang-guh-roo]

noun

plural

kangaroos ,

plural

kangaroo .

1. any herbivorous marsupial of the family Macropodidae, of Australia and adjacent islands, having a small head, short forelimbs, powerful hind legs used for leaping, and a long, thick tail: several species are threatened or endangered.

kangaroo

/ ˌkæŋɡəˈruː /

noun

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

verb

1. 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

Other Word Forms

• kangaroolike adjective
• kangaroo-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kangaroo¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from Guugu Yimidhirr (an Australian Aboriginal language spoken around Cooktown, northern Queensland) gaŋ-urru, a large black or gray species of kangaroo

Word History and Origins

Origin of kangaroo¹

C18: probably from a native Australian language

Example Sentences

Wallabies are primarily found in Australia and nearby islands, and are members of the macropod family of marsupials, along with kangaroos.

From BBC

The good news is that, right now, ordinary Americans aren’t going to be called upon to give up their daily routines and job duties in order to “serve” on this kangaroo grand jury.

From Salon

"He finished his sentence for God's sake. It was an unfair sentence rendered by a kangaroo court," his mother says.

From BBC

Compensation for sub-postmasters is not being decided by a "kangaroo court", the body overseeing the payouts has said, pushing back against allegations made by Sir Alan Bates.

From BBC

A "really muscly" kangaroo "tried to drown" a man in Australia, after the two got into a punch-up.

From BBC