quack

1
[ kwak ]
See synonyms for: quackquackedquacking on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. the harsh, throaty cry of a duck or any similar sound.

verb (used without object)
  1. to utter the cry of a duck or a sound resembling it.

Origin of quack

1
First recorded in 1570–80; imitative; compare Dutch kwakken, German quacken

Words Nearby quack

Other definitions for quack (2 of 2)

quack2
[ kwak ]

noun
  1. a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill: Desperation for a cure led her to a quack who took her money.

  2. a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or qualifications they do not possess; a charlatan.

adjective
  1. being a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to skills, especially medical skills: He's just a quack psychologist who complicates everyone's problems.

  2. presented falsely as having curative powers: quack medicine.

  1. of, relating to, or befitting a quack or quackery: Her quack methods have helped no one.

verb (used with object)
  1. to treat in the manner of a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill.

  2. to advertise or sell with fraudulent claims.

Origin of quack

2
First recorded in 1630–40; short for quacksalver

Other words for quack

Other words from quack

  • quack·ish, adjective
  • quack·ish·ly, adverb
  • quack·ish·ness, noun

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

How to use quack in a sentence

  • Many people quote quack “scientists” in a desperate attempt to deny climate change and our role in it.

  • What matters is that race evolved into the Avoca quack-Off, one of Nebraska's quirkiest -- or quackiest -- winter events.

    My Duck is Faster than Yours | Justin Green | January 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Google his name, and the top two related searches come up as “Daniel Amen scam” and “Daniel Amen quack.”

    Can Daniel Amen Read Your Mind? | Eliza Shapiro | December 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • If you find a physician opposed to the use of antitoxin this simply means that he is a quack.

  • No, I'm only going to save the reputation of AEsculapius by giving him a prescription got from a quack to give to a goose.

  • "Only a quack medical concern looking for a stall to impress their come-ons," explained Waldemar.

    Average Jones | Samuel Hopkins Adams
  • "I'll have my lawyer draw up a form of contract and mail it after you to-morrow," promised the quack with a crafty look.

    Average Jones | Samuel Hopkins Adams
  • Why, I assumed that your quest of the quack's scion would have trained you down fit for anything.

    Average Jones | Samuel Hopkins Adams

British Dictionary definitions for quack (1 of 2)

quack1

/ (kwæk) /


verb(intr)
  1. (of a duck) to utter a harsh guttural sound

  2. to make a noise like a duck

noun
  1. the harsh guttural sound made by a duck

Origin of quack

1
C17: of imitative origin; related to Dutch kwakken, German quacken

British Dictionary definitions for quack (2 of 2)

quack2

/ (kwæk) /


noun
    • an unqualified person who claims medical knowledge or other skills

    • (as modifier): a quack doctor

  1. British, Australian and NZ informal a doctor; physician or surgeon

verb
  1. (intr) to act in the manner of a quack

Origin of quack

2
C17: short for quacksalver

Derived forms of quack

  • quackish, adjective

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