quack
Quack (noun) means the harsh, honking sound a duck makes. Example: “The pond was noisy with the quack of ducks fighting over bread.”
How to use quack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a duck's sound, or a fraud pretending to have medical qualifications.
A "quack" doctor is not simply a bad doctor — the word implies deliberate fraud or lack of real qualifications.
Word forms
more quack comparative, quacker comparative, quacked past tense, quacked past tense, quacks plural, quacks plural, quacks singular, quacks singular, most quack superlative, quackest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pond was noisy with the _____ of ducks fighting over bread.
Etymology
Originally imitative of the sound itself, from Middle English quacken; the "fake doctor" sense grew out of "quacksalver," an old term for someone who loudly hawked bogus remedies.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “quack” mean?
The word “quack” means the harsh, honking sound a duck makes. In plain terms, either a duck's sound, or a fraud pretending to have medical qualifications.
How do you pronounce “quack”?
“Quack” is pronounced kwak (/kwæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “quack” in a sentence?
Here is “quack” used in a sentence: “The pond was noisy with the quack of ducks fighting over bread.”
What is another word for “quack”?
Words with a similar meaning to “quack” include snake-oil salesman, medicaster, quacksalver and pharmacopole.
What part of speech is “quack”?
Depending on how it is used, “quack” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “quack” come from?
The word “quack” comes from Middle English. Originally imitative of the sound itself, from Middle English quacken; the "fake doctor" sense grew out of "quacksalver," an old term for someone who loudly hawked bogus remedies.
How many meanings does “quack” have?
“Quack” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the harsh, honking sound a duck makes.
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