noun
Uncommon
puck
puhk
Puck (noun) means the small, hard rubber disc that players hit across the ice in ice hockey. Example: “The puck slid past the goalie and into the net.”
noun
1
The small, hard rubber disc that players hit across the ice in ice hockey.
"The puck slid past the goalie and into the net."
"He controls the puck better than anyone else on the team."
"The referee dropped the puck, and the game began."
2
A mischievous spirit or sprite from folklore, especially the character Puck in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
"Puck plays tricks on the mortals throughout the play."
"The children dressed up as Puck for the school's summer play."
"In the story, Puck squeezes magic juice onto the sleeping lovers' eyes."
How to use puck
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually the hockey disc; occasionally the folklore trickster spirit.
Common pairings
drop the puck
chase the puck
a mischievous puck
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Word forms
- Plural
- pucks
- Third person singular
- pucks
- Past tense
- pucked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ slid past the goalie and into the net.
Etymology
From Old English pūca, "goblin, demon," of uncertain deeper origin.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for puck
See all rhymes for puck →Frequently asked questions
What does “puck” mean?
The word “puck” means the small, hard rubber disc that players hit across the ice in ice hockey. In plain terms, usually the hockey disc; occasionally the folklore trickster spirit.
How do you pronounce “puck”?
“Puck” is pronounced puhk (/pʌk/ in IPA).
How do you use “puck” in a sentence?
Here is “puck” used in a sentence: “The puck slid past the goalie and into the net.”
What is another word for “puck”?
Words with a similar meaning to “puck” include goblin and fairy.
What part of speech is “puck”?
“Puck” is a noun.
Where does the word “puck” come from?
The word “puck” comes from Old English. From Old English pūca, "goblin, demon," of uncertain deeper origin.
Is “puck” a common word?
“Puck” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “puck” have?
“Puck” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the small, hard rubber disc that players hit across the ice in ice hockey.
What is the difference between a "puck" in hockey and the folklore character "Puck"?
In ice hockey, a "puck" is the small, hard rubber disc that players hit across the ice. "Puck" is also a mischievous spirit or sprite from folklore, notably the character in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and the two meanings are unrelated beyond sharing a spelling.
What is a hockey puck made of, and why is that material used?
A hockey puck is a small, hard rubber disc, and its firm rubber construction allows it to slide quickly across ice while withstanding repeated impacts from players' sticks. Its shape and weight are standardized for consistent play.
Who is Puck in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"?
Puck is a mischievous fairy or sprite character in Shakespeare's play, known for causing comic chaos among the human characters through magic and trickery. The name has since become associated more broadly with impish, mischievous spirits in folklore.
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