croak
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to utter a low-pitched, harsh cry, as the sound of a frog or a raven.
-
to speak with a low, rasping voice.
-
Slang. to die.
-
to talk despondingly; prophesy trouble or evil; grumble.
verb (used with object)
-
to utter or announce by croaking.
-
Slang. to kill.
noun
verb
-
(intr) (of frogs, crows, etc) to make a low, hoarse cry
-
to utter (something) in this manner
he croaked out the news
-
(intr) to grumble or be pessimistic
-
slang
-
(intr) to die
-
(tr) to kill
-
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of croak
1550–60; earlier croke, probably imitative; compare Old English cræcetian (of a raven) to croak
Explanation
A croak is the low, hoarse sound a frog makes. Crows and people with sore throats can croak, too. It’s also a slang word for “die.” When people croak, they need either a glass of water or an undertaker. Croak is a noun or a verb. A bullfrog’s croak can be very loud. A parched cowboy might croak, “howdy.” Another meaning of the word is "die," as in, "I'm sorry your hamster's dead, but you knew he was going to croak soon.” This kind of croak came from the popular idea that people make a distinctive sound just before they die, a "death rattle." Now there’s something to look forward to!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Finding the beauty in that hellish croak — something that Josh Groban was able to do in the last Broadway revival — can prove exceptionally difficult.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026
She has an angelic voice, and Bob has this craggy kind of Blues man’s croak.
From Salon • Dec. 25, 2024
Purdue, unlike Virginia, which lost by 20, kept a lukewarm hope into the closing minute, only to see it croak in disarray and send the Knights in blue charging and dancing onto the floor.
From Washington Post • Mar. 17, 2023
You’re hoping to croak before senility sets in.
From New York Times • Oct. 13, 2022
The toads pranced and twirled and shimmied to the finish line where, with one final croak and sidestep, Bob passed the red ribbon, victorious.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
