verb
Uncommon
tucker
TUH-kuh
Tucker (verb) means (informal) To wear someone out; usually used as "tucker out.". Example: “A long walk on the beach really tuckers the dog out.”
verb
1
(informal) To wear someone out; usually used as "tucker out."
"A long walk on the beach really tuckers the dog out."
"The long climb tuckered us out before lunch."
"Playing with the toddlers all morning tuckered her out completely."
noun
1
(Australian, informal) Food.
"There's plenty of tucker in the fridge if you're hungry."
"We packed some tucker for the camping trip."
"Do you want to grab some tucker after the match?"
"By the fire the billies were boiling, the tucker of both camps spread out on tarpaulins."
— Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range (1937)
How to use tucker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo tire someone out, or (mainly in Australian English) a casual word for food.
When to use it
Both senses are informal; "tucker" for food is distinctly Australian slang.
Common pairings
tuckered out
bush tucker
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Word forms
- Plural
- tuckers
- Third person singular
- tuckers
- Past tense
- tuckered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A long walk on the beach really _____ the dog out.
Etymology
From tuck + -er. The Australian sense meaning "food" likely developed from the idea of "tucking in" to a meal.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tucker
See all rhymes for tucker →Frequently asked questions
What does “tucker” mean?
The word “tucker” means (informal) To wear someone out; usually used as "tucker out.". In plain terms, to tire someone out, or (mainly in Australian English) a casual word for food.
How do you pronounce “tucker”?
“Tucker” is pronounced TUH-kuh (/ˈtʌkɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tucker” in a sentence?
Here is “tucker” used in a sentence: “A long walk on the beach really tuckers the dog out.”
What part of speech is “tucker”?
Depending on how it is used, “tucker” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “tucker” a common word?
“Tucker” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tucker” have?
“Tucker” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (informal) To wear someone out; usually used as "tucker out.".
What does it mean when someone says a walk "tuckered them out"?
It means the walk left them worn out or exhausted. "Tucker out" is the standard way this informal verb is used, almost always paired with "out."
Is "tucker" used the same way in Australia as elsewhere?
No. In Australian informal usage, "tucker" is a noun meaning food, as in "bush tucker." Outside Australia, "tucker" is more commonly the informal verb meaning to tire someone out.
Is "tucker" appropriate in formal writing?
No, both senses of "tucker" are informal and better suited to casual speech or writing than formal documents. Use "exhaust" or "tire out" for the verb sense, and "food" for the noun sense, in formal contexts.
