croak

American  

[krohk] / kroʊk /

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.

3. Slang. to die.

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

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter or announce by croaking.

2. Slang. to kill.

noun

1. the act or sound of croaking.

croak British  

/ 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

3. (intr) to grumble or be pessimistic

4. slang

   1. (intr) to die

   2. (tr) to kill

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noun

1. a low hoarse utterance or sound

Other Word Forms

• croakily adverb
• croakiness noun
• croaky adjective

Etymology

Origin of croak

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

Example Sentences

There’s a wicked irony in micromanaging your entire life on Earth only to croak and have your soul potentially jettisoned to some formless state of being, entirely unknown to mere mortals.

From Salon • Nov. 27, 2025

Frogs croak and croak, their mating calls echoing in the air.

From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2023

“If I croak tomorrow, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be any happier than I am here today,” Sandersen said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2023

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

A couple bullfrogs were starting to croak in the marsh grass, and every once in a while there was a little bloop! when a fish jumped.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings