\ ˈas
\
\
Definition of ass
(Entry 1 of 3)
1
: any of several hardy gregarious (see gregarious sense 1a) African or Asian perissodactyl mammals (genus Equus) smaller than the horse and having long ears
especially
: an African mammal (E. asinus) that is the ancestor of the donkey
2
informal + impolite
: a stupid, stubborn, or detestable person
a pompous ass made an ass of himself He was an ass to her, dissing her script (which he apparently lost), telling her women couldn't be artists and that she looked so much prettier with makeup on.— Lauren Piester
—often compounded with a preceding adjective Don't be a smart-ass.
ass
noun (2)
\ ˈas
\
\
variants:
or arse \
ˈas , ˈärs
\
\
Definition of ass (Entry 2 of 3)
1a
informal + impolite
: buttocks
—often used in emphatic reference to a specific person Get your ass over here.saved my ass
ass
adverbDefinition of ass (Entry 3 of 3)
informal + impolite
—used as a postpositive intensive especially with words of derogatory implication fancy-ass
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More About ass
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
Hi. This Is a List of Butt-Related...
Hi. This Is a List of Butt-Related Words.
For readers of all ages.
What is an 'Assclown'?
What is an 'Assclown'?
A socially inept or stupid person
Some Notes On 'Asshat'
Some Notes On 'Asshat'
A serious look at where it came from
Dictionary Entries Near ass
See More Nearby EntriesStatistics for ass
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Ass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ass. Accessed 19 Jun. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for ass
ass
noun
\ ˈas
\
\
Kids Definition of ass
1
: an animal that looks like but is smaller than the related horse and has shorter hair in the mane and tail and longer ears : donkey
2
: a stupid or stubborn person
Hint:
Sense 2 of the word is often considered impolite, and you may offend people by using it.
Test Your Vocabulary
Return of Name that Color!
-
- Name that color:
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share ass
Time Traveler for ass
The first known use of ass was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century