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¹duck

noun, often attributive \ˈdək\

plural ducks

Definition of DUCK

or plural duck

a : any of various swimming birds (family Anatidae, the duck family) in which the neck and legs are short, the feet typically webbed, the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes usually different from each other in plumage

b : the flesh of any of these birds used as food

: a female duck — compare drake

chiefly British : darling —often used in plural but singular in construction

: person, creature

Illustration of DUCK

Origin of DUCK

Middle English duk, doke, from Old English dūce

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

Rhymes with DUCK

buck, chuck, cluck, cruck, guck, huck, luck, muck, pluck, puck, ruck, schmuck, shuck, struck, suck, truck, Truk, tuck, yech, yuck

²duck

verb

: to lower your head or body suddenly to avoid being seen or hit

: to lower (your head) suddenly

: to avoid (something, such as a punch) by lowering your head or body suddenly

Full Definition of DUCK

transitive verb

: to thrust under water

: to lower (as the head) quickly : bow

: avoid, evade <duck the issue>

intransitive verb

a : to plunge under the surface of water

b : to descend suddenly : dip

a : to lower the head or body suddenly : dodge

b : bow, bob

a : to move quickly

b : to evade a duty, question, or responsibility

— duck·er noun

See duck defined for English-language learners

Origin of DUCK

Middle English douken; akin to Old High German tūhhan to dive, Old English dūce duck

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DUCK

Synonyms: avoid, dodge, escape, elude, eschew, evade, finesse, get around, scape, shake, shirk, shuffle (out of), shun, weasel (out of)

³duck

noun

Definition of DUCK

: an instance of ducking

First Known Use of DUCK

1554

⁴duck

noun

Definition of DUCK

: a durable closely woven usually cotton fabric

plural : light clothes and especially trousers made of duck

Origin of DUCK

Dutch doek cloth; akin to Old High German tuoh cloth

First Known Use: 1640

Other Textiles Terms

batt, bias, brocade, flock, lawn, toile

DUCK Defined for Kids

¹duck

noun \ˈdək\

Definition of DUCK for Kids

: a swimming bird that has a broad flat bill and is smaller than the related goose and swan

²duck

verb

duckedduck·ing

Definition of DUCK for Kids

: to push under water for a moment <The swan ducked its head.>

: to lower the head or body suddenly <You have to duck through the doorway.>

: to avoid by moving quickly <He ducked the punch.>

: to avoid a duty, question, or responsibility <Let's duck out of work early.>

Medical Dictionary

duck

noun \ˈdək\

plural ducks or duck

Medical Definition of DUCK

: any of various swimming birds (family Anatidae, the duck family) in which the neck and legs are short, the feet typically webbed, the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes usually different from each other in plumage