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donah

Australian historical slang, from the larrikin subculture of late 19th-century Sydney and Melbourne, for a larrikin's girlfriend or female companion.

ˈdɑnəSilenthistorical174 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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UK
#1·Apr 28, 2026UK

Australian historical slang, from the larrikin subculture of late 19th-century Sydney and Melbourne, for a larrikin's girlfriend or female companion. The larrikins were a working-class youth subculture, and their distinctive slang drew on Polari, Cockney, and other sources. A 'donah' was the female equivalent of the male larrikin.

The larrikin pushed through the door with his donah on his arm, both of them dressed to impress.
Origin: From Polari/Cockney 'dona' (a woman); adopted into Australian larrikin slang in the 19th century. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
Cluster: romantic_partner
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Global
#2·Apr 27, 2026Global

(AU, slang, historical) A larrikin's girlfriend.

For parents

Donah means: A larrikin's girlfriend.. The word is mostly archaic or historical; you will only encounter it in old texts, period drama, or school history rather than current teen conversation. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

donah means: A larrikin's girlfriend.. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

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