quokka

American  

[kwok-uh] / ˈkwɒk ə /

noun

1. a small wallaby, Setonix brachyurus, inhabiting islands and swampy areas in southwestern Australia.

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quokka British  

/ ˈkwɒkə /

noun

1. a small wallaby, Setonix brachyurus , of Western Australia, occurring mostly on offshore islands

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Etymology

Origin of quokka

First recorded in 1860–65, quokka is from the Nyungar word kwaka

Example Sentences

An 11-month-old quokka joey survived and is recovering in the zoo's health centre.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2022

“Kids see Jason on the cover with a cute little rottie — a magical version of the Australian quokka — and they ask about other magical animals in the book,” she said.

From Washington Post • May 18, 2022

The quokka, with its permanently chipper expression, is a major attraction among visitors to Western Australia.

From Nature • Oct. 16, 2018

A man visiting the island took a selfie with a quokka, whose unusual mouth made it appear to be smiling.

From National Geographic • Jul. 13, 2017

The one image to survive with O’Neill’s ringing endorsement is of a smiling quokka.

From The Guardian • Nov. 2, 2015