donkey

noun

don·​key ˈdäŋ-kē  ˈdəŋ-  ˈdȯŋ- 

plural donkeys

1

: the domestic ass (Equus asinus)

2

: a stupid or obstinate person

Synonyms

• mule
• burro
• ass
• jackass

Examples of donkey in a Sentence

we put our bags on the donkey and headed down the canyon

called him a donkey when he refused to go along with their plans

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, the 40 full-time residents are well outnumbered by the wild donkeys that call the island home. —Peter Kelly, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2025

Besides stables housing Sardinian donkeys, Shetland ponies, and native Giara horses, there’s a 20,000-square-foot Great Aviary, one of the park’s standout attractions. —Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Rescues there include horses, goats, pigs, donkeys, alpacas, sheep and more. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 12 July 2025

Smuggling is a way of life in the region, as thousands of people earn their living using donkeys, camels, cars and trucks to carry drugs, fuel and electronics across the borders. —Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing donkey

• donkey engine
• donkey jacket
• donkey's years
• talk the hind leg(s) off a donkey

Rhymes for donkey

• swanky

Kids Definition

donkey

noun

don·​key ˈdäŋ-kē  ˈdəŋ-  ˈdȯŋ- 

plural donkeys

1

: a sturdy domestic mammal that is classified with the asses and is used especially to carry things

2

: a stupid or stubborn person