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Synonyms

donkey

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

noun

plural

donkeys

  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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.)

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”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Behind him stood a faux Caribbean village—painted huts, dancers in island dress, even a live donkey.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

The best he can muster against fellow contestant Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho is to bray like a donkey in labor distress that Arocho is full of “big, thick, ‘Traitor’ doo-doo.”

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026

Electricity is provided from solar panels, while the toilet is compostable and located in a shack outside, where a donkey, horse, dogs, cats, chickens and ducks roam a clearing among the trees.

From Barron's • Nov. 24, 2025

Those who could afford it paid high prices to hire donkey carts or small trucks to make the arduous journey north.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025

“Don’t use up your energy! And don’t tire the donkey, or it will stop and refuse to move!”

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.