Quick Answer
Jackass is an informal noun that most commonly refers to someone who behaves in a foolish, careless, stupid, or annoying way. It is often used as an insult to criticize a person’s behavior rather than their intelligence. Literally, a jackass is an adult male donkey. While that original meaning is still correct, the slang meaning is much more common in modern English.
Pronunciation
IPA (US): /ˈdʒækˌæs/
Pronounced as: JAK-ass
Part of Speech
Part of Speech: Noun
Countable: Yes
Plural: Jackasses
Examples
He acted like a complete jackass.
Two jackasses were grazing in the field.
What Does Jackass Mean?
The word jackass has two meanings.
Literal Meaning
A jackass is an adult male donkey.
Female donkeys are called jennies, while the general term donkey refers to both males and females.
Example
The farmer owns several jackasses for breeding.
Slang Meaning
In everyday English, jackass describes someone acting foolishly, irresponsibly, or obnoxiously.
Rather than describing a person’s intelligence, the word usually criticizes their behavior.
Examples
Don’t be such a jackass.
He drove like a jackass.
I felt like a jackass after forgetting her birthday.
Featured Definition
Jackass is an informal English noun used to describe someone acting foolishly, carelessly, or obnoxiously. Although the word literally means an adult male donkey, its slang meaning is far more common in modern conversation.
Word History and Origin
The word jackass dates back to 1727.
It combines two older English words.
Jack was a traditional name used for male animals.
Ass was an old English word meaning donkey.
Originally, jackass simply referred to a male donkey. Over time, because donkeys were often associated with stubbornness and poor judgment, people began using the word metaphorically to describe foolish individuals.
Timeline
1727: Male donkey
1800s: Used as an insult
1900s: Common slang
Today: Mostly refers to a foolish or annoying person
How Context Changes the Meaning
| Context | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Farming | Male donkey | The ranch owns one jackass. |
| Everyday speech | Foolish person | Stop acting like a jackass. |
| Friendly teasing | Joke | You’re such a jackass for hiding my phone. |
| Heated argument | Insult | He called the driver a jackass. |
Is Jackass a Bad Word?
Jackass is considered moderately offensive.
It is less offensive than many strong swear words, but it can still insult someone depending on your tone and relationship.
Usually acceptable
- Friends joking together
- Comedy
- Movies
- Casual conversations
- Self-deprecating humor
Better avoided
- Professional emails
- Workplace discussions
- Customer service
- School assignments
- Formal speeches
- Conversations with strangers
How Offensive Is Jackass?
| Word | Offensiveness |
|---|---|
| Silly | Very Low |
| Fool | Low |
| Dummy | Low |
| Idiot | Medium |
| Jackass | Medium |
| Jerk | Medium |
| Asshole | High |
Synonyms of Jackass
Depending on the situation, similar words include:
- Fool
- Idiot
- Moron
- Dummy
- Nitwit
- Buffoon
- Blockhead
- Imbecile
- Jerk
- Goose
Differences
Fool: Someone lacking good judgment.
Idiot: A stronger insult suggesting very poor intelligence.
Jerk: Someone who behaves rudely.
Jackass: Someone behaving foolishly or irresponsibly.
Antonyms
The opposite of jackass includes:
- Wise person
- Intelligent person
- Sensible person
- Genius
- Thoughtful individual
- Responsible person
Jackass vs Similar Words
| Word | Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Fool | Poor judgment | Mild |
| Dummy | Unintelligent | Mild |
| Idiot | Very foolish | Strong |
| Jackass | Foolish behavior | Moderate |
| Jerk | Rude behavior | Moderate |
| Asshole | Very offensive | Strong |
Common Expressions
Don’t be a jackass
A request asking someone to stop behaving foolishly.
Example
Don’t be a jackass. Wear your seatbelt.
Act like a jackass
To behave irresponsibly.
Example
He acted like a jackass during the meeting.
Make a jackass of yourself
To embarrass yourself through foolish behavior.
Example
Don’t make a jackass of yourself at the interview.
Examples of Jackass in Sentences
Everyday Conversation
I felt like a jackass after sending the wrong email.
Stop being a jackass and listen.
He admitted he had been a jackass.
Friendly Teasing
Nice job locking your keys in the car, jackass.
You’re such a jackass for believing that prank.
Serious Criticism
The driver behaved like a jackass by ignoring traffic signs.
Everyone was upset because he acted like a jackass and treated the staff poorly.
Literal Meaning
The ranch keeps one jackass for breeding.
A jackass is an adult male donkey.
Grammar Tips
Correct
He is a jackass.
She acted like a jackass.
What a jackass!
Incorrect
He is jackass.
She behaved jackass.
Always use the article a when referring to someone as a jackass.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1
❌ You’re jackass.
✅ You’re a jackass.
Mistake 2
❌ She behaved jackass.
✅ She behaved like a jackass.
Mistake 3
❌ Jackass can only mean donkey.
✅ It can also refer to someone behaving foolishly.
Regional Usage
United States
The slang meaning is very common and widely understood.
United Kingdom
People more commonly say idiot, fool, or twit, though jackass is still widely recognized.
Australia
The word appears in casual speech but is less common than idiot or drongo.
Jackass in Movies and Pop Culture
The word frequently appears in comedy films, television shows, and online discussions. Writers often use it to express frustration, sarcasm, or humorous criticism without using stronger profanity.
Because it is familiar to most English speakers, audiences quickly understand that it refers to foolish or reckless behavior.
When Should You Use the Word?
Use jackass only in informal situations where the context makes it appropriate.
Good situations include
- Casual conversations
- Friendly jokes
- Comedy
- Storytelling
- Fictional dialogue
Avoid using it in
- Job interviews
- Business meetings
- Academic writing
- Professional emails
- Customer communication
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does jackass mean?
It usually refers to someone acting foolishly, carelessly, or irresponsibly. Literally, it also means an adult male donkey.
Is jackass a swear word?
Not exactly. It is considered a moderately offensive insult, but it is generally less vulgar than stronger profanities.
Is jackass offensive?
It can be. Among close friends it may be playful, but in formal or heated situations it is usually insulting.
Can women be called a jackass?
Yes. The slang meaning can be used for anyone regardless of gender.
What is the plural of jackass?
The plural form is jackasses.
Is jackass the same as idiot?
Not quite. Jackass usually criticizes someone’s behavior, while idiot often questions a person’s intelligence.
Why is a donkey called a jackass?
Historically, jack referred to a male animal and ass meant donkey. Together, jackass literally means a male donkey.
