donkey
DONG-kee
Donkey (noun) means a domesticated animal related to the horse, with long ears and a braying call, used for riding and carrying loads. Example: “The farmer used a donkey to carry sacks of grain up the hill.”
noun
1
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."
"The children laughed when the donkey began to bray loudly in the field."
"Tourists rode a donkey along the path to the village."
2
Informal: a stubborn or foolish person.
"Stop being such a donkey and just apologize."
"He refused to listen to anyone, and his friends called him a donkey."
"Don't be a donkey; ask for help if you need it."
How to use donkey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe long-eared farm animal related to the horse; informally, a stubborn or silly person.
Common pairings
donkey ride
stubborn as a donkey
donkey work
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Word forms
- Plural
- donkeys, donkies
Fill the gap
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The farmer used a _____ to carry sacks of grain up the hill.
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."
Class of 1700
donkey joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for donkey
See all rhymes for 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.
