noun A2 Elementary Common

duck

duhk

Duck (noun) means a web-footed water bird, often kept domestically or hunted. Example: “They fed bread to the ducks at the park pond.”

noun

A web-footed water bird, often kept domestically or hunted.

"They fed bread to the ducks at the park pond."

(British, informal) A term of endearment for a friend or stranger.

""Are you alright, duck?" the shopkeeper asked."

verb

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."

To avoid or evade a task, question, or responsibility.

"The minister ducked the question about the budget cuts."

How to use duck

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe water bird, the action of quickly dropping down to avoid something, or (informally) dodging a difficult task.

Easily confused with

duct →

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".

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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crouch stoop dodge bob dip waterfowl duck down friend

Related words

friend fall avoid Robert enemy bob champion mate

Rhymes for duck

fuck luck suck muck buck puck huck tuck stuck truck pluck chuck

See all rhymes for duck →

Frequently asked questions

What does “duck” mean?

The word “duck” means a web-footed water bird, often kept domestically or hunted. In plain terms, the water bird, the action of quickly dropping down to avoid something, or (informally) dodging a difficult task.

How do you pronounce “duck”?

“Duck” is pronounced duhk (/dʌk/ in IPA).

How do you use “duck” in a sentence?

Here is “duck” used in a sentence: “They fed bread to the ducks at the park pond.”

What is another word for “duck”?

Words with a similar meaning to “duck” include duck down and friend.

What part of speech is “duck”?

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

Where does the word “duck” come from?

The word “duck” comes from Old English. From Old English dūcan ("to dip, dive, duck"), related to German and Dutch words meaning "to dive" or "to bend down".

Is “duck” a common word?

“Duck” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “duck” have?

“Duck” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a web-footed water bird, often kept domestically or hunted.

What is the difference between a duck and a goose?

A duck is a smaller web-footed water bird with a relatively short neck, while a goose is larger with a longer neck. Both are waterfowl, but "duck" refers to the smaller species often kept domestically or hunted.

What is the difference between the noun "duck" and the verb "duck"?

The noun duck names a web-footed water bird. The verb duck means to lower the head or body quickly, usually to avoid being hit or seen.

What is a male duck and a female duck called?

A male duck is called a drake and a female duck is called a hen. The young are ducklings, while "duck" serves as the general term for the bird.

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