Ass

/æs/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings1 question

Definitions

3 meanings
1

The fleshy part of the human body that you sit on.

/æs/

nounneutralBeginner
General

The buttocks

He tripped and landed on his ass.

💡 Simply: Your bottom.

More Examples

2

That joke made me laugh my ass off.

How It's Used

Informal Conversation

"He fell on his ass."

2

A domesticated donkey.

/æs/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A donkey

The stubborn ass refused to move.

💡 Simply: A donkey.

More Examples

2

We rode on the ass to the next village.

How It's Used

Rural Settings

"The farmer's ass carried heavy loads."

Tip:Think of the sound 'hee-haw'.
3

A stupid or irritating person.

/æs/

nounnegativeIntermediate
General

A foolish or annoying person

He's such an ass; he doesn't listen to anyone.

💡 Simply: A silly or annoying person.

More Examples

2

Don't be an ass; help me with this.

How It's Used

Informal Conversation

"Don't be such an ass!"

Tip:Remember the stubborn donkey - similar traits.

From Old English *æse, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch ezel and German Esel.

The word 'ass' has a long history, with its meaning as a donkey being much older than its use as a vulgar term.

Memory tip

Think of a donkey's rear end - it's similar!

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"donkey"

kick asssave one's asskiss one's ass

Common misspellings

asseas

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written