DictionaryAI

donkey

noun
SayDONG-kee/ˈdɑŋki//ˈdɒŋki/

Pluraldonkeys

6 meanings of donkey

Practice

  1. 1
    animalnouncountable
    A long-eared animal like a small horse, often used to carry loads.

    Like a small, strong horse with long ears.

    The farmer kept a donkey to carry sacks of grain.

    A donkey brayed loudly in the dusty field.

    UsageMore than one is donkeys.

    Similarass, burro

  2. 2
    foolnouncountable
    A silly person who does foolish things.

    You're a donkey if you believe that story.

    Only a donkey would leave the front door wide open.

    UsageIt is a mild, often joking insult.

    Similarclown, buffoon, chump, dolt, bonehead

  3. 3
    stubborn personnouncountable
    A person who refuses to change their mind, even when they should.

    Like an animal that won't move no matter how hard you pull it.

    My uncle is such a donkey about trying new food.

    He's a stubborn donkey and won't change his mind for anyone.

    UsageCalling someone a donkey can be rude.

    Similarmule

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    bad poker playernounslangcountable
    A weak poker player who plays badly and often loses money.

    Like someone who keeps losing a game because they don't really know how to play it.

    He's such a donkey at cards that he bets on every hand.

    The donkey at our table lost his whole stack in an hour.

    UsageSay he played like a donkey.

    Similarfish

    Oppositeshark, pro

    Note
  2. 5
    small enginenouncountable
    A small extra engine that does smaller jobs on a ship.

    Like a small helper motor that does the jobs the big engine doesn't.

    The crew started the donkey to pump out the bilge.

    A donkey kept the lights running while the main engine was off.

    UsageIt is short for donkey engine.

    Note
  3. 6
    noundatedcountable
    A box or chest for keeping tools or a sailor's things in, especially on a ship.

    Similarchest, trunk, box

    Note

Practice

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Origin

The origin is not certain. It was slang in the late 1700s, perhaps from a Middle English word meaning a small dun (brownish-grey) horse. It slowly replaced the older word 'ass'.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 6 facts