verb
Uncommon
tuck
tuhk
Tuck (verb) means to push, fold, or fit the loose edge of something neatly into place. Example: “She tucked the sheet under the mattress and smoothed it flat.”
verb
1
To push, fold, or fit the loose edge of something neatly into place.
"She tucked the sheet under the mattress and smoothed it flat."
"He tucked his shirt into his trousers before the interview."
noun
1
A fold stitched into fabric to take in its size or add shape.
"The dressmaker added a small tuck at the waist to fit her better."
2
(British, informal, dated) Snack food, especially sweets bought by schoolchildren.
"They spent their pocket money on tuck from the shop by the school gates."
How to use tuck
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo fold or push something neatly into place — most often clothing or bedding.
Common pairings
tuck in a shirt
tuck someone in
tuck shop
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Word forms
- Plural
- tucks
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the sheet under the mattress and smoothed it flat.
Etymology
From Old English tūcian ("to torment, harass"), which softened over time into the modern sense of pulling or folding cloth neatly into place.
Related words
Rhymes for tuck
See all rhymes for tuck →Frequently asked questions
What does “tuck” mean?
The word “tuck” means to push, fold, or fit the loose edge of something neatly into place. In plain terms, to fold or push something neatly into place — most often clothing or bedding.
How do you pronounce “tuck”?
“Tuck” is pronounced tuhk (/tʌk/ in IPA).
How do you use “tuck” in a sentence?
Here is “tuck” used in a sentence: “She tucked the sheet under the mattress and smoothed it flat.”
What part of speech is “tuck”?
Depending on how it is used, “tuck” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tuck” come from?
The word “tuck” comes from Old English. From Old English tūcian ("to torment, harass"), which softened over time into the modern sense of pulling or folding cloth neatly into place.
Is “tuck” a common word?
“Tuck” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tuck” have?
“Tuck” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to push, fold, or fit the loose edge of something neatly into place.
What is the difference between tuck and fold?
Tuck specifically means to push, fold, or fit the loose edge of something neatly into place, such as tucking a shirt into trousers, while fold more generally describes bending something over on itself without necessarily fitting it into a confined space. Tuck often implies securing or hiding an edge, whereas fold is a broader, more neutral action.
What does tuck mean in sewing?
In sewing, a tuck is a fold stitched into fabric to take in its size or add shape. Tucks are commonly used to adjust fit or create decorative detail on clothing.
What does tuck mean in British English?
In British, informal, and somewhat dated usage, tuck refers to snack food, especially sweets bought by schoolchildren, as in a tuck shop. This sense is distinct from the verb meaning to fold something into place.
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