noun

croak

krohk

Croak (noun) means a low, rough sound made in the throat, especially the call of a frog. Example: “A deep croak came from the pond at dusk.”

noun

A low, rough sound made in the throat, especially the call of a frog.

"A deep croak came from the pond at dusk."

"His voice was reduced to a croak after the long cold."

verb

To make a low, rough sound, or to say something in a hoarse voice.

"The frogs croaked all night by the lake."

""Water," he croaked, barely able to speak."

Informal: to die.

"The old TV finally croaked after fifteen years."

How to use croak

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rough, throaty sound, or the verb for making one — think of a frog, or a sore throat.

Common mistake

"Croak" meaning "to die" is slang and should be avoided in formal or sensitive writing.

Common pairings

croak like a frog a hoarse croak croak out a word

Word forms

croaked past tense, croaks plural, Croaks plural, croaks singular

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A deep _____ came from the pond at dusk.

Etymology

An imitative (onomatopoeic) word from Old English crācettan, meaning "to croak" — it was formed to mimic the sound itself, much like "crack."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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Related words

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Rhymes for croak

oak soak cloak

See all rhymes for croak →

Frequently asked questions

What does “croak” mean?

The word “croak” means a low, rough sound made in the throat, especially the call of a frog. In plain terms, a rough, throaty sound, or the verb for making one — think of a frog, or a sore throat.

How do you pronounce “croak”?

“Croak” is pronounced krohk (/kɹoʊk/ in IPA).

How do you use “croak” in a sentence?

Here is “croak” used in a sentence: “A deep croak came from the pond at dusk.”

What part of speech is “croak”?

Depending on how it is used, “croak” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “croak” come from?

The word “croak” comes from Old English. An imitative (onomatopoeic) word from Old English crācettan, meaning "to croak" — it was formed to mimic the sound itself, much like "crack.".

How many meanings does “croak” have?

“Croak” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a low, rough sound made in the throat, especially the call of a frog.

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