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Definition of kinkajou
kinkajou
/ˈkɪŋ.kə.dʒuː/
kin · ka · jou
Plural:kinkajous
kinkajou Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
kinkajou Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A nocturnal, tree-dwelling mammal native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, characterized by a woolly yellowish-brown coat, large eyes, and a long prehensile tail.
Example
"During our night hike in the Costa Rican rainforest, we used our flashlights to spot a kinkajou climbing deftly through the canopy."
Word Origin & Etymology
From French 'quincajou' (wolverine), originating from an Algonquian language such as Ojibwe 'gwingwaage'. The name was mistakenly transferred to the South American procyonid by 18th-century French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kinkajou. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kinkajou