Kangaroo Words
A kangaroo word is a word that contains a smaller word with the same meaning, spelled out by its letters in the correct order - like a mother kangaroo carrying a joey in its pouch. Masculine carries 'male', chicken carries 'hen', and container carries 'tin'.
In this guide the hidden joey is shown in capitals inside each word, so you can trace the letters for yourself. Entries are grouped into nouns, verbs and adjectives. Kangaroo words make brilliant word puzzles and are a fun way to sharpen spelling and vocabulary.
26 entries in this category
Adjectives
5Hidden joey: male (MAscuLinE)
"The lion has a strikingly masculine mane."
Hidden joey: raucous (RAmbUnCtiOUS)
"The rambunctious puppies knocked over the bowl."
Hidden joey: dead (DEceAseD)
"The will was read after the deceased man's funeral."
Hidden joey: idle (InDoLEnt)
"The heat made everyone feel indolent."
Hidden joey: apt (APpropriaTe)
"Smart shoes are appropriate for the interview."
Nouns
12Hidden joey: tin (conTaINer)
"Store the biscuits in an airtight container."
Hidden joey: hen (cHickEN)
"The chicken pecked at the corn."
Hidden joey: rest (RESpiTe)
"The rain brought a brief respite from the heat."
Hidden joey: ruin (destRUctIoN)
"The storm left a trail of destruction."
Hidden joey: tutor (insTrUcTOR)
"Our driving instructor was very patient."
Hidden joey: rascal (RAp-SCALlion)
"That little rapscallion hid my keys again."
Hidden joey: spot (SPlOTch)
"There is a splotch of paint on your sleeve."
Hidden joey: rain (pRecipitAtIoN)
"Heavy precipitation is forecast for tomorrow."
Hidden joey: lies (caLumnIES)
"He refused to answer such calumnies."
Hidden joey: fiction (FabrICaTION)
"The whole story was a fabrication."
Hidden joey: bloom (BLOssOM)
"The cherry blossom lasts only a week or two."
Hidden joey: son (SciON)
"He was the scion of a wealthy banking family."
Verbs
9Hidden joey: urge (encoURaGE)
"Teachers encourage pupils to read every day."
Hidden joey: vacate (eVACuATE)
"Residents were told to evacuate the building."
Hidden joeys: fed (FEasteD) and ate (feAsTEd)
"We feasted on roast lamb and potatoes."
Hidden joey: see (obSErvE)
"Scientists observe the birds from a hide."
Hidden joey: prate (PRATtlE)
"He would prattle on for hours about football."
Hidden joey: amble (perAMBuLatE)
"They liked to perambulate around the park after dinner."
Hidden joey: rules (RegULatES)
"The thermostat regulates the temperature."
Hidden joey: cut (CUrTail)
"The council had to curtail its spending."
Hidden joey: allot (ALLOcaTe)
"We need to allocate more time for revision."