donkey

2 synonyms for donkey, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A domesticated animal related to the horse, with long ears and a braying call, used for riding and carrying loads.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

mule

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

burro

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A domesticated animal related to the horse, with long ears and a braying call, used for riding and carrying loads.

“The farmer used a donkey to carry sacks of grain up the hill.”

burro

2. noun

Informal: a stubborn or foolish person.

“Stop being such a donkey and just apologize.”

mule

How to use donkey

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

donkey ride stubborn as a donkey donkey work

Etymology

Origin uncertain, first recorded in the late 18th century, possibly a diminutive form built on "dun" (a greyish-brown colour), replacing the older word "ass."

Full origin of donkey →

Frequently asked questions

What does “donkey” mean?

The word “donkey” means a domesticated animal related to the horse, with long ears and a braying call, used for riding and carrying loads. In plain terms, the long-eared farm animal related to the horse; informally, a stubborn or silly person.

How do you pronounce “donkey”?

“Donkey” is pronounced DONG-kee (/ˈdɑŋ.ki/ in IPA).

How do you use “donkey” in a sentence?

Here is “donkey” used in a sentence: “The farmer used a donkey to carry sacks of grain up the hill.”

What part of speech is “donkey”?

“Donkey” is a noun.

Where does the word “donkey” come from?

The word “donkey” dates back to around 1700. Origin uncertain, first recorded in the late 18th century, possibly a diminutive form built on "dun" (a greyish-brown colour), replacing the older word "ass.".

Is “donkey” a common word?

“Donkey” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “donkey” have?

“Donkey” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a domesticated animal related to the horse, with long ears and a braying call, used for riding and carrying loads.

What is the difference between a "donkey" and a "mule"?

A donkey is a distinct domesticated species related to the horse, while a mule is the hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Donkeys can reproduce with other donkeys, but mules are typically sterile.

Why is "donkey" sometimes used as an insult?

Informally, "donkey" can describe a stubborn or foolish person, drawing on the animal's reputation for being obstinate, though this usage is casual and can be considered mildly insulting.

What is the difference between "donkey" and "ass"?

"Ass" is the older, more formal term for the same animal, while "donkey" became the more common everyday name in English, partly because "ass" acquired an unrelated vulgar slang meaning.

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Nearby words

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