zonkey

noun

zon·key ˈzäŋ-kē

ˈzəŋ-,

ˈzȯŋ-

plural zonkeys

: a hybrid between a zebra and a donkey : zedonk

A zonkey is strong for its size and makes a powerful pack animal.

John Strohm

Just call them Romeo and Zoo-liet: a male zebra hopped a fence at an Italian animal preserve to mate with his seemingly illicit lover, a female donkey. Their offspring? A zonkey, of course, which zookeepers promptly named Ippo.

Time

Word History

Etymology

z(ebra) + (d)onkey

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of zonkey was in 1919

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Zonkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zonkey. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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