noun
duck
duhk
noun
1
A web-footed water bird, often kept domestically or hunted.
"They fed bread to the ducks at the park pond."
2
(British, informal) A term of endearment for a friend or stranger.
""Are you alright, duck?" the shopkeeper asked."
verb
1
To lower the head or body quickly to avoid being hit.
"He had to duck to avoid the low doorway."
"She ducked behind the sofa when the ball came flying at her."
2
To avoid or evade a task, question, or responsibility.
"The minister ducked the question about the budget cuts."
How to Use Duck
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe water bird, the action of quickly dropping down to avoid something, or (informally) dodging a difficult task.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
duck out of
duck a question
sitting duck
Word Forms
ducked past tense, ducked past tense, ducks plural, ducks plural, ducks plural, ducks singular, ducks singular
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They fed bread to the _____ at the park pond.
Etymology
From Old English dūcan ("to dip, dive, duck"), related to German and Dutch words meaning "to dive" or "to bend down".