Phrase guide

donkey ears

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A hand gesture made by placing the thumbs above each ear and waving the index fingers in unison; used to express derision.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: plural, plural-only

Examples

  • This was a frustrating year for us, anyway, and we were losing to the Tigers, 13-0, in the sixth inning when Aaron Robinson popped one into short left. I dropped the fly, they began to boo; and when I came in I gave them the donkey ears, which hardly seemed adequate. My Turn at Bat The Story of My Life by Ted Williams, As Told to John Underwood, p. 116

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.