What does jackass mean?
A jackass is, literally, a male donkey. Figuratively, it is an informal and highly offensive word for someone considered stupid, foolish, or inconsiderate. The compound is formed from 'jack,' an old term for a male animal, particularly a male donkey, and 'ass,' the animal now commonly called a donkey. The literal sense is relatively straightforward, but the figurative sense has become much more frequent in everyday speech, especially as a dismissive insult. It can be directed at an individual ('Don't be a jackass') or used in phrases describing foolish actions, such as 'a jackass move.' Because of its derogatory force, it is unsuitable for polite or formal descriptions of people, although the animal meaning can be used casually. The word is recognized throughout the English-speaking world and is generally more blunt and severe than milder alternatives such as 'fool' or 'idiot'.
A male donkey.
"A jackass stood at the edge of the field, braying loudly."
The literal animal sense is uncommon in modern English compared with the figurative insulting sense.
A stupid, foolish, or inconsiderate person.
"I cannot believe he left the keys on the table like a jackass."
Strongly derogatory and usually offensive when referring to a person.
The regular plural is 'jackasses'; in the figurative sense, it is normally used to refer to one or more people considered foolish or inconsiderate.
"The two jackasses argued loudly while the rest of the group tried to leave."
A jackass began as a perfectly literal animal: a male donkey. The insult came later, turning the word into one of English's bluntest judgments of foolish behavior.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jackass come from?
The word is an English compound of 'jack' and 'ass.' 'Jack' was used historically for a male animal, especially a male donkey, while 'ass' derives from Old English and ultimately from Latin 'asinus.' The compound originally referred literally to a male donkey; its insulting sense developed later by extension to a foolish or stubborn person.
Related word forms
How jackass is actually used
As an insult for a person, this word is strongly derogatory and may be considered offensive. Its animal sense is less objectionable but remains informal. In British English, 'ass' is more common as an insult, while 'jackass' is widely understood in both British and American English.
Easily confused with jackass
Both words can refer to a donkey, but an ass is the animal itself, while a jackass is a male donkey and, figuratively, a foolish person.
A donkey is the common name for the animal regardless of sex, while a jackass specifically denotes a male donkey.