quokka

[ kwok-uh ]

noun

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

quokka

/ ˈkwɒkə /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quokka¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quokka¹

from a native Australian language

Example Sentences

Are 'quokka selfies' cause for concern?

From BBC

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

From BBC

“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

We are famed for having some of the cutest animals on the planet — such as the koala and the quokka — as well as many of the world’s most dangerous.

From Washington Post

Usually she can just show up, and like a quokka, know that there will be oohs and ahs at the pleasure of gazing upon her.

From Slate