English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
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 notes

In 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

Word forms

jackassed past tense, jackasses plural, jackasses plural, jackasses singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “jackass” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial