Meaning & use
jackass
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Meanings
nouncountableoffensiveslang
An insulting word for someone who behaves in a stupid, rude or irritating way.
Grammar: Used about a person and best avoided in polite company.
Patterns
- be a jackass
Some jackass parked across two spaces again.
He felt like a jackass after shouting at the waiter.
Don't be a jackass; apologize.
nouncountabletechnical
A male donkey.
Grammar: A neutral term in farming.
Patterns
- a jackass and a mare
The farmer bred a jackass with a mare to produce a mule.
A jackass brayed in the paddock.
The old jackass pulled the cart.
Word forms
| plural | jackasses |
|---|
Common combinations
- complete jackass
- He was a complete jackass at the meeting.
- act like a jackass
- Stop acting like a jackass.
- make a jackass of oneself
- He made a jackass of himself at the party.
- stubborn jackass
- The stubborn jackass refused to move.
Synonyms and how they differ
- idiot
- Idiot is more widespread but equally rude, whereas jackass adds a sense of boorishness.
- fool
- Fool is milder and can be affectionate, which jackass rarely is.
- jerk
- Jerk emphasizes unkind behavior, while jackass emphasizes stupidity.
- donkey
- Donkey is the neutral animal word, without the insulting sense.
Word family
Commonly confused: jackass or jenny?
jackass vs jenny
A jenny is a female donkey, while a jackass is male.
Practice
In farming, a jackass is...
Choose one answer.
A jackass is a male donkey. A female is a jenny and a mule is a hybrid.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “jackass”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.