noun
donkey
DONG-kee
noun
1
A domesticated animal related to the horse, with long ears and a braying call, used for riding and carrying loads.
"The farmer used a donkey to carry sacks of grain up the hill."
2
Informal: a stubborn or foolish person.
"Stop being such a donkey and just apologize."
How to Use Donkey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe long-eared farm animal related to the horse; informally, a stubborn or silly person.
Common pairings
donkey ride
stubborn as a donkey
donkey work
Word Forms
donkeys plural, donkies plural
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Etymology
Origin uncertain, first recorded in the late 18th century, possibly a diminutive form built on "dun" (a greyish-brown colour), replacing the older word "ass."