croak

[ krohk ]
See synonyms for: croakcroaking on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to utter a low-pitched, harsh cry, as the sound of a frog or a raven.

  2. to speak with a low, rasping voice.

  1. Slang. to die.

  2. to talk despondingly; prophesy trouble or evil; grumble.

verb (used with object)
  1. to utter or announce by croaking.

  2. Slang. to kill.

noun
  1. the act or sound of croaking.

Origin of croak

1
1550–60; earlier croke, probably imitative; compare Old English cræcetian (of a raven) to croak

Words that may be confused with croak

Words Nearby croak

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use croak in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for croak

croak

/ (krəʊk) /


verb
  1. (intr) (of frogs, crows, etc) to make a low, hoarse cry

  2. to utter (something) in this manner: he croaked out the news

  1. (intr) to grumble or be pessimistic

  2. slang

    • (intr) to die

    • (tr) to kill

noun
  1. a low hoarse utterance or sound

Origin of croak

1
Old English crācettan; related to Old Norse krāka a crow; see creak

Derived forms of croak

  • croaky, adjective
  • croakily, adverb
  • croakiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012