donkey

noun

don·​key ˈdäŋ-kē  ˈdəŋ-  ˈdȯŋ- 

plural donkeys

1

: the domestic ass (Equus asinus)

2

: a stupid or obstinate person

Synonyms of donkey

• 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

Think horses, peacocks, donkeys, and more. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2025

Highlights include holiday light and video shows, festive displays, live entertainment, photos with Santa and kids crafts and games along with costumed characters, Christmas Highland cows and miniature donkeys. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2025

The animals sent back included 11 lemurs, an albino Burmese python, giraffes, a pack of sheep, a pair of sacred ibises, two llamas, tamarins, a kookaburra, a gibbon, capuchins, several parrots, three ground hornbills, three cockatoos, a serval, a Poitou donkey, and a macaw. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025

The donkey has a lot of singing. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 22 Nov. 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