A koala is a small Australian marsupialA mammal that carries and nurses its young in a pouch. that lives in trees and eats mostly eucalyptusA type of tree with strong-smelling leaves, often eaten by koalas. leaves. People sometimes call it a koala bearA large wild mammal with thick fur and strong claws., but it is not a bear.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /koʊˈɑːlə/
Easy pronunciation: koh-AH-luh (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Koala Meaning
An Australian tree-dwelling marsupial that eats eucalyptus leaves.
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A slow-moving Australian arboreal marsupial with grey fur and large round ears that feeds on eucalyptus leaves.
Example: We saw a koala sleeping in a eucalyptus tree at the wildlife park.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- koala bear — Common informal name for the animal, though not a true bear.
- native bear — A traditional common name for the animal.
- phascolarctos cinereus — The scientific name of the koala.
- kangaroo bear — An old or informal name, but less common and not standard in everyday use.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Koala Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- koala bear
- native bear
Scientific name for the animal
- phascolarctos cinereus
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- A koala is not a bear, despite the name koala bear.
- Koalas do not belong to the same animal group as bears.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does koala mean?
Koala means a small Australian marsupial that lives in trees and eats eucalyptus leaves.
What are the synonyms of koala?
Common names used for the animal include koala bear and native bear. Phascolarctos cinereus is the scientific name.
Is a koala a bear?
No. A koala is a marsupial, not a bear.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
