What does asslike mean?
Asslike is an informal English adjective used to describe something that resembles an ass or donkey. Its most straightforward application is visual: a creature with long ears, a heavy jaw, or a donkey-like gait may be described as having an asslike appearance. The word also carries a figurative sense, drawing on the long-standing cultural stereotype of donkeys as stubborn or dim-witted animals; in this use, an asslike refusal to compromise means one that is pigheadedly obstinate. Because the base word 'ass' is also slang for the buttocks and for a foolish person, the term can sound mildly crude, and careful writers frequently prefer alternatives such as 'asinine', which derives from the same Latin root but is fully accepted in formal registers. Asslike is formed with the common adjectival suffix '-like', which attaches freely to nouns to indicate resemblance. It is rare enough that it does not appear in most standard dictionaries, and readers will encounter it mainly in literary description or casual commentary rather than everyday speech.
adjectiveResembling an ass or donkey, whether in physical appearance or in qualities popularly associated with the animal such as stubbornness or foolishness.
- Resembling an ass or donkey in appearance, posture, or expression.
- Having the qualities popularly attributed to an ass, especially stubbornness or obtuseness.
"The mule gave him a distinctly asslike look of stubborn refusal before plodding on."
"The carving showed a man with an oddly asslike face — long ears and heavy jaw."
"His asslike refusal to change route despite every warning exasperated the whole party."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of asslike
Asslike is formed transparently from the noun 'ass', meaning donkey, combined with the native English suffix '-like'. The word 'ass' itself comes from Old English 'assa', likely borrowed from Latin 'asinus', the source of the formal adjective 'asinine'. The suffix '-like' descends from Old English 'gelīc' ('similar'), giving the compound its straightforward meaning of 'resembling an ass'. The word is a relatively recent and informal formation, not recorded in most historical dictionaries.
How asslike is actually used
A rare, informal descriptive formation; in figurative use it can carry mild vulgarity because of 'ass', so writers often prefer 'asinine' or 'donkey-like' in polished prose. It is not found in most major dictionaries.
Easily confused with asslike
Asinine is an established formal adjective meaning extremely stupid or foolish (from Latin asinus), while asslike is a rarer, literal descriptive compound meaning merely resembling an ass.