ass
Translation
donkey, arse, fool
Examples
The farmer used an ass to carry the goods.
The farmer used a donkey to carry the goods.
He fell and landed on his ass.
He fell and landed on his arse.
Don't be such an ass.
Don't be such a fool.
Grammar Patterns
((an)) ass (as a countable noun) a donkey, buttocks, or a fool Don't be such an ass.
Similar Words
Synonyms: (donkey) mule; (buttocks) arse, rear end; (fool) idiot, jerk
Etymology
From Old English 'assa', from Latin 'asinus' (donkey). The 'buttocks' sense is from the 19th century, possibly a phonetic alteration of 'arse'.
Memory Tips
Be careful with context! It has three main meanings: an animal (donkey), a body part (buttocks, vulgar), and an insult (fool, vulgar).