cluck

¹ American  

[kluhk] / klʌk /

verb (used without object)

1. to utter the cry of a hen brooding or calling her chicks.

2. to make a similar sound; express concern, approval, etc., by such a sound.

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verb (used with object)

1. to call or utter by clucking.

noun

1. the sound uttered by a hen when brooding, or in calling her chicks.

2. any clucking sound.

cluck ² American  

[kluhk] / klʌk /

noun

Slang.

1. a dull-witted, stupid person; blockhead; dolt.

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cluck British  

/ klʌk /

noun

1. the low clicking sound made by a hen or any similar sound

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verb

1. (intr) (of a hen) to make a clicking sound

2. (tr) to call or express (a feeling) by making a similar sound

Etymology

Origin of cluck¹

1475–85; variant of clock ¹ (now dial. and Scot), Middle English clokken, Old English cloccian to cluck; cognate with Dutch klokken

Origin of cluck²

1900–05, special use of cluck ¹

Example Sentences

One of them made clucking noises like a chicken.

From Literature

He could see his aunt clucking her tongue and sighing heavily and his uncle giving one of his looks.

From Literature

In the distance he heard moorhens cluck and weaverbirds chirp in their frenetic multitudes.

From Literature

A couple of the Rhode Island Reds are clucking and cooing around her feet.

From Literature

“That is the distinct sound of clucking,” Coal said.

From Literature

Related Words

• coo