Definitions for donkey
ˈdɒŋ ki, ˈdɔŋ-, ˈdʌŋ-don·key

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. donkeynoun

   the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874

2. domestic ass, donkey, Equus asinusnoun

   domestic beast of burden descended from the African wild ass; patient but stubborn

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. donkeynoun

   A domestic animal, Equus asinus, similar to a horse.

2. donkeynoun

   A stubborn person.

3. donkeynoun

   A fool.

4. donkeynoun

   A small auxiliary engine, also called donkey engine.

5. donkeynoun

   A bad poker player.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Donkey

   The donkey or ass (Equus africanus asinus) is a domesticated member of the horse family, Equidae. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass, E. africanus. The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world, mostly in underdeveloped countries, where they are used principally as draught or pack animals. Working donkeys are often associated with those living at or below subsistence levels. Small numbers of donkeys are kept for breeding or as pets in developed countries. A male donkey or ass is called a jack, a female a jenny or jennet; a young donkey is a foal. Jack donkeys are often used to mate with female horses to produce mules; the biological "reciprocal" of a mule, from a stallion and jenny as its parents instead, is called a hinny. Asses were first domesticated around 3000 BC, probably in Egypt or Mesopotamia, and have spread around the world. They continue to fill important roles in many places today. While domesticated species are increasing in numbers, the African wild ass is an endangered species. As beasts of burden and companions, asses and donkeys have worked together with humans for millennia.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Donkeynoun

   an ass; or (less frequently) a mule

2. Donkeynoun

   a stupid or obstinate fellow; an ass

3. Etymology: [Prob. dun, in allusion to the color of the animal + a dim. termination.]

FreebaseRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Donkey

   The donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus, is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass, E. africanus. The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world, mostly in underdeveloped countries, where they are used principally as draught or pack animals. Working donkeys are often associated with those living at or below subsistence levels. Small numbers of donkeys are kept for breeding or as pets in developed countries. A male donkey or ass is called a jack, a female a jenny or jennet; a young donkey is a foal. Jack donkeys are often used to produce mules. Asses were first domesticated around 3000 BC, or 4000 BC, probably in Egypt or Mesopotamia, and have spread around the world. They continue to fill important roles in many places today. While domesticated species are increasing in numbers, the African wild ass and another relative, the Onager, are endangered. As beasts of burden and companions, asses and donkeys have worked together with humans for millennia.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Donkey

   dong′ki, n. the ass.—ns. Don′key-en′gine, a small engine used in steam-vessels for loading and unloading, pumping water into the boilers, &c.; Don′key-pump, an extra steam-pump. [Still regarded as slang in 1823. Perh. = dun-ik-ie, a double dim. of dun, from its colour; or from Duncan, cf. Dicky.]

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. donkey

   A type of animal created in various colors.

   Donkeys are beautiful animals and are intelligent and happy.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on February 4, 2020  

Etymology and OriginsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Donkey

   An ass, from its dun colour.

Matched Categories

1. • Ass
   • Emblem

How to pronounce donkey?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say donkey in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of donkey in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of donkey in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of donkey in a Sentence

1. Portuguese Proverb:

   A doctor is a book-loaded donkey.

2. Jesse Duplantis:

   All it's gon na do is it's going to touch people, it's going to reach people, it's going to change lives one soul at a time, i really believe that if Jesus was physically on the earth today, he wouldn't be riding a donkey.

3. Lon Beale:

   It’s like going back in time 300 years, they’re still riding around in donkey carts.

4. Jesse Duplantis:

   I really believe that if Jesus was physically on the earth today, he wouldn’t be riding a donkey.

5. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust:

   The zonkey combines the sturdy body of its donkey sire and the striped legs of its zebra mother, which makes for a striking creature, while it should otherwise lead a normal life, zonkeys are mules, meaning that it will be unable to successfully breed once it reaches maturity.

Popularity rank by frequency of use