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

She has an angelic voice, and Bob has this craggy kind of Blues man’s croak.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2024

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

I meant to shout but it came out as a weak croak, “Don’t touch me.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss