noun
Uncommon
jackass
JA-kas
Jackass (noun) means a male donkey. Example: “The farmer kept a jackass to breed with the mares.”
noun
1
A male donkey.
"The farmer kept a jackass to breed with the mares."
2
Informal: a stupid, foolish, or obnoxious person.
"Only a jackass would leave the stove on and walk out."
"He acted like a total jackass at the wedding."
How to use jackass
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally a male donkey, but almost always used today as an insult meaning "idiot" or "obnoxious jerk".
When to use it
Mildly vulgar — fine in casual speech but avoid in formal or polite writing.
Common pairings
act like a jackass
total jackass
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Word forms
- Plural
- jackasses
- Third person singular
- jackasses
- Past tense
- jackassed
Etymology
A straightforward combination of "jack" (a male animal) and "ass" (donkey), later extended as an insult for a foolish or rude person.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “jackass” mean?
The word “jackass” means a male donkey. In plain terms, literally a male donkey, but almost always used today as an insult meaning "idiot" or "obnoxious jerk".
How do you pronounce “jackass”?
“Jackass” is pronounced JA-kas (/ˈd͡ʒækæs/ in IPA).
How do you use “jackass” in a sentence?
Here is “jackass” used in a sentence: “The farmer kept a jackass to breed with the mares.”
What part of speech is “jackass”?
“Jackass” is a noun.
Is “jackass” a common word?
“Jackass” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “jackass” have?
“Jackass” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male donkey.
