donkey

American  

[dong-kee, dawng-, duhng-] / ˈdɒŋ ki, ˈdɔŋ-, ˈdʌŋ- /

noun

donkeys plural

1. the domestic ass, Equus asinus.

2. (since 1874) a representation of this animal as the emblem of the U.S. Democratic Party.

3. a stupid, silly, or obstinate person.

4. a woodworking apparatus consisting of a clamping frame and saw, used for cutting marquetry veneers.

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adjective

1. Machinery. auxiliary.

   donkey engine; donkey pump; donkey boiler.

donkey British  

/ ˈdɒŋkɪ /

noun

1. Also called: ass.  a long-eared domesticated member of the horse family ( Equidae ), descended from the African wild ass ( Equus asinus )

2. a stupid or stubborn person

3. slang a footballer known for his or her lack of skill

   the players are a bunch of overpriced and overrated donkeys

4. to talk endlessly

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donkey Cultural  

1. A symbol (see also symbol) of the Democratic party, introduced in a series of political cartoons by Thomas Nast during the congressional elections of 1874. (Compare elephant.)

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Etymology

Origin of donkey

First recorded in 1775–85; of uncertain origin; perhaps alteration of Dunkey, diminutive name or pet form of Duncan, man's name; perhaps a derivative of dun “dull, grayish brown”

Explanation

A donkey is a four-legged domesticated farm animal with hooves that's related to the horse. Donkeys are known for the braying sound they make and their long ears. Farmers often keep donkeys for pulling carts, carrying heavy loads, or even for guarding flocks of sheep. In some places, donkeys are ridden like horses or kept as calming companions for nervous horses. The word donkey was first used as slang for the animal then only called an ass. It was probably modeled after monkey, with which it originally rhymed, from dun, or "a grayish brown color."

Example Sentences

In Surrey, Leatherhead Lions Club said its annual bank holiday donkey derby would no longer include the donkeys or a dog show "for the welfare and comfort of the animals".

From BBC • May 25, 2026

It took 20 days to reach Obeid, mostly by foot but also by hitching rides on the occasional donkey cart or livestock truck.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

During the hottest hours, many retreat to makeshift huts -- frames of sticks draped with coarse homespun cloth, plastered with wild donkey dung.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

A zoo frantically looked for an escaped zebra but discovered the animal on the loose was actually a repainted donkey.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

If the next question is, why couldn’t the donkey carry the load, the answer is that Rostam had just woken up from his nap, and Samir didn’t want to upset him.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Related Words

• burro
• horse
• mule