What does kylie mean?
In Australian English, a kylie is a young kangaroo. The word is especially associated with small, dependent kangaroos, although it may be used more broadly for a juvenile of any size. A newborn kangaroo begins life in its mother's pouch and is commonly called a joey; both “joey” and “kylie” are familiar Australian terms, with “kylie” giving the idea a somewhat more distinctly Australian character. The word appears in wildlife descriptions, children’s books, Indigenous artwork, and discussions of Australian animals and landscapes. It is not normally used outside Australia except when referring to Australian English or to a kangaroo in an explicitly Australian context. Although “kylie” is also widely known as a feminine given name, its ordinary dictionary sense as a noun is the Australian term for a young kangaroo.
nounA young kangaroo, especially one that is still small or newly born.
- A young or small kangaroo.
"A kylie stayed close to its mother as they moved through the scrub."
"The sanctuary rescued an orphaned kylie and cared for it until it was old enough to remain in the wild."
"An Aboriginal artwork depicts a kylie sheltering beneath its mother."
The plural is used when referring to more than one young kangaroo.
"Several kylies appeared among the tall grass."
In Australian English, a kylie is not merely a young kangaroo but one of the continent's most familiar animal names.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of kylie
The word entered English from an Australian Aboriginal language tradition associated with terms for kangaroos. The precise source language and the word's earliest recorded form are not entirely clear, so the connection should not be assigned too narrowly. The modern spelling became established in Australian English and is now chiefly associated with a young kangaroo.
How kylie is actually used
This is chiefly an Australian term and is normally informal. It overlaps with the more general term “joey,” which can also refer to a young wallaby or other marsupial.