ass
1a long-eared, slow, patient, sure-footed domesticated mammal, Equus asinus, related to the horse, used chiefly as a beast of burden.
Also called wild ass . an African wild ass, kiang, onager, or any of their subspecies.
a stupid, foolish, or stubborn person.
Origin of ass
1Other words from ass
- ass·like, adjective
Other definitions for ass (2 of 4)
Origin of ass
2- Also Chiefly British Slang: Vulgar, arse .
usage note For ass
Other definitions for -ass (3 of 4)
a combining form of ass in the sense of “stupid person“ or “the buttocks,“ used in vulgar slang words as an intensifier or with disparaging intent: big-ass; stupid-ass.
Other definitions for ass. (4 of 4)
assistant.
association.
assorted.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for ass (1 of 2)
/ (æs) /
either of two perissodactyl mammals of the horse family (Equidae), Equus asinus (African wild ass) or E. hemionus (Asiatic wild ass). They are hardy and sure-footed, having longer ears than the horse: Related adjective: asinine
(not in technical use) the domesticated variety of the African wild ass; donkey
a foolish or ridiculously pompous person
not within an ass's roar of Irish informal not close to obtaining, winning, etc: she wasn't within an ass's roar of it
Origin of ass
1British Dictionary definitions for ass (2 of 2)
/ (æs) /
mainly US and Canadian slang the buttocks
mainly US and Canadian slang the anus
mainly US and Canadian offensive, slang sexual intercourse or a woman considered sexually (esp in the phrase piece of ass)
cover one's ass slang, mainly US and Canadian to take such action as one considers necessary to avoid censure, ridicule, etc at a later time
Origin of ass
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with ass
In addition to the idiom beginning with ass
- ass in a sling, have one's
also see:
- break one's ass
- chew out (one's ass off)
- cover one's ass
- drag one's ass
- kick ass
- kick in the pants (ass)
- kiss ass
- make a fool (an ass) of
- pain in the ass
- stick it (up one's ass)
- you bet your ass
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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