How to pronounce donkey
Say it like DONG-kee. Donkey has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DONG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce donkey. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DONG
- kee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Donkey pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DONGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- keeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of donkey
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: DONG-kee.
Other ways to say donkey
Donkey also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- DAWNG-kee /ˈdɔŋki/
What does donkey mean?
- the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
- domestic beast of burden descended from the African wild ass; patient but stubborn
Where does donkey come from?
The origin is uncertain.
Words that rhyme with donkey
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of donkey.
Questions about saying donkey
How do you pronounce donkey?
Say DONG-kee. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɑŋki/. In British English it is /ˈdɒŋki/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in donkey?
Donkey has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DONG). Broken into parts: DONG · kee.
Is donkey pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈdɒŋki/ (DONG-kee).