donkeywork

noun

don·​key·​work ˈdäŋ-kē-ˌwərk How to pronounce donkeywork (audio)
ˈdəŋ-,
ˈdȯŋ-
: monotonous and routine work : drudgery

Examples of donkeywork in a Sentence

the donkeywork involved in setting up one's own start-up software firm

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of donkeywork was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near donkeywork

Cite this Entry

“Donkeywork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/donkeywork. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on donkeywork

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!