To realize highly selective recognition of oxalate in water, a new chemosensing ensemble that behaves highly selective colorimetric recognition of oxalate in water at pH 7.4 has been developed. The ensemble was constructed by a pyrrole containing mononuclear copper complex and chromeazurol S. The ensemble shows a highly selective recognition of oxalate through an obvious color change from blue to yellow upon the addition of oxalate, whereas, other dicarboxylates such as malonate, succinate, fumarate, maleate, glutarate, adipate, phthalate, isophthalate and terephthalate do not induce any noticeable color changes. The oxalate recognition process is not significantly affected by other coexisting dicarboxylate.