jackass
C1informal, vulgar, insulting
Definition
Meaning
A foolish or stupid person.
1. A male donkey (literal meaning). 2. An ignorant, arrogant, or obnoxiously foolish person. 3. (As an adjective 'jackass') Exceedingly foolish.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally a literal term for a male donkey. Its use as an insult leverages the animal's stereotypical stubbornness and stupidity. The term implies not just foolishness, but a combination of ignorance, incompetence, and often loud or arrogant behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use it primarily as an insult. The literal term for the animal is more common in American English, but 'male donkey' is also used.
Connotations
Equally strong and derogatory in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, possibly due to cultural products (e.g., the TV show 'Jackass').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
He's a [jackass].Don't be such a [jackass].He [acted/played] the jackass.You're making a jackass of yourself.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make a jackass of oneself (to behave foolishly and embarrassingly).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Highly inappropriate and unprofessional.
Academic
Not used; considered vulgar and non-technical.
Everyday
Common in informal, heated arguments or among friends (often jocular).
Technical
No technical usage outside of zoology (literal meaning).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He spent the meeting jackassing about and contributed nothing.
American English
- Stop jackassing around and get to work.
adverb
British English
- He was driving jackassly through the village.
American English
- He behaved so jackassly that everyone left the party.
adjective
British English
- That was a jackass remark to make in front of the client.
American English
- His jackass comment got him fired on the spot.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He was acting like a real jackass at the party.
- Don't be such a jackass!
- The manager made a complete jackass of himself during the presentation.
- I'm not listening to that arrogant jackass anymore.
- His jackass insistence on outdated methods cost the company the contract.
- The debate was derailed by one participant's jackass behaviour.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a loud, braying DONKEY (jackass) that refuses to move. A person who is a JACKASS is similarly loud, stubborn, and foolish.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE ANIMALS (specifically, foolish/stubborn people are donkeys).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'осёл' (donkey) used literally. In Russian, 'осёл' as an insult is milder ('упрямец' - stubborn person). 'Jackass' is a stronger, more comprehensive insult implying stupidity, not just stubbornness. A closer Russian equivalent in force might be 'придурок' or 'дебил'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Misspelling as 'jackass' (correct) vs. 'jack ass' (less common).
- Overusing it and diluting its impact.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'jackass' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is considered a vulgar term and a strong insult, though not among the most severe expletives. It is inappropriate in formal or polite company.
Yes, among friends it can be used in a jocular, less offensive way (e.g., 'You jackass, you scared me!'). Tone and relationship are key.
'Jackass' often carries an added layer of obnoxious, loud, or arrogant behaviour alongside foolishness, whereas 'idiot' focuses more on pure lack of intelligence.
Yes, but it remains highly informal. It means to fool around or behave in a stupid, unproductive manner (e.g., 'Stop jackassing around and focus.').