ass

The word “ass” means a donkey, or a related wild species of horse-like animal.

“Ass” is pronounced as (/æs/ in IPA).

Here is “ass” used in a sentence: “The farmer led the ass along the dusty road.”

“Ass” is a noun.

The word “ass” comes from Latin. From Old English assa, ultimately from Latin asinus. The insulting sense comes from the donkey's old reputation for stubbornness and slow-wittedness.

“Ass” is a very common word in modern English.

“Ass” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a donkey, or a related wild species of horse-like animal.

There's essentially no difference — a donkey is the domesticated form of the ass. 'Ass' is the older, more formal name for the animal, while 'donkey' is the everyday word that has largely replaced it in modern English. Wild relatives, such as the African wild ass, keep the older name.

An ass, or donkey, is a distinct species in its own right. A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, combining traits of both parents and usually unable to breed. So an ass is a true species, while a mule is a hybrid animal.

Besides the domestic donkey, wild species include the African wild ass — the donkey's ancestor — and the Asiatic wild asses, such as the onager and the kiang. These sturdy, sure-footed animals are built for dry, rugged country across parts of Africa and Asia.

Donkeys tend to stop and assess danger before moving, which people have long mistaken for stubbornness. In reality it reflects a strong instinct for self-preservation and caution rather than defiance. This reputation lies behind common sayings that compare a stubborn person to a mule or a donkey.