duck
1any of numerous wild or domesticated web-footed swimming birds of the family Anatidae, especially of the genus Anas and allied genera, characterized by abroad, flat bill, short legs, and depressed body.
the female of this bird, as distinguished from the male.: Compare drake1.
the flesh of this bird, eaten as food.
Informal. person; individual: He's the queer old duck with the shaved head and walrus mustache.
a playing marble, especially one that is not used as a shooter.
ducks, (used with a singular verb)British Slang. ducky2.
Cricket Slang.
failure of a batsman to score: to be out for a duck.
a player's score of zero: to be bowled for a duck.: Compare goose egg (def. 1).
Idioms about duck
water off a duck's back, something that has little or no effect: Our criticisms of his talk rolled off him like water off a duck's back.
Origin of duck
1Other definitions for duck (2 of 4)
to plunge the whole body or the head momentarily under water.
Cards Informal. to play a card lower than the card led.
to lower suddenly: Duck your head going through that low doorway.
to avoid or evade (a blow, unpleasant task, etc.); dodge: to duck a hard right;to duck an embarrassing question.
to plunge or dip in water momentarily.
Cards Informal. to play a card lower than (the card led).
an act or instance of ducking.
Origin of duck
2Other words for duck
Other definitions for duck (3 of 4)
a heavy, plain-weave cotton fabric for tents, clothing, bags, etc., in any of various weights and widths.
ducks, (used with a plural verb) slacks or trousers made of this material.
Origin of duck
3Other definitions for duck (4 of 4)
DUKW.
Origin of duck
4Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use duck in a sentence
The pond was stocked with fish, geese, ducks, cranes, and herons, “all having the appearance of life, for their skins were admirably preserved.”
When Science Was the Best Show in America - Issue 93: Forerunners | Lee Alan Dugatkin | November 18, 2020 | Nautilus“We are stuck with a lame duck person, who is no longer representing our interests and cannot represent our interests,” she said.
Despite New Removal Process, Beiser Likely to Stay on School Board | Will Huntsberry | November 17, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoModerate Democrats, Ocasio-Cortez told the New York Times, are “sitting ducks.”
AOC isn’t picking a fight over ideology. She’s staging an intervention. | Molly Roberts | November 11, 2020 | Washington PostTo be sure, it’s not impossible a deal could get done in the lame duck, as those like McConnell have even recently said a deal needs to be done “before the end of the year.”
Will another $1,200 stimulus check ever come? Here’s what we know | Anne Sraders | November 11, 2020 | FortuneGenerously glaze the duck once more and roast for another 10 minutes.
Orange-sriracha glazed duck and roasted fruit are a stunning sheet-pan dinner combination | Olga Massov | November 10, 2020 | Washington Post
He instead flew off to Denver for fundraising and a speech some of his fellow Democrats are ducking.
She and her husband crawled on the floor, ducking as “falling glass, chandeliers, plates, food, and drink” fell on top of them.
I Survived a Deadly Shipwreck: Costa Concordia Passengers Tell Their Stories | Barbie Latza Nadeau | May 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen ducking into darkness beneath the deck, the savvy pirate would simply switch his eye patch from one eye to the other.
Body Hack: How to See in the Dark (Like Pirates!) | Brian Ries | December 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTDucking the beams becomes more and more of an effort, and sometimes you forget to duck.
Ducking debates is impossible now, but preparing for predictable problems, and even easy questions, should be Campaign 101.
Mitt Romney Lost the Summer: Tax Returns, Overseas Gaffes, & More | Robert Shrum | August 8, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTNine identical High-Pocketses—all so tall they had to weave around the neon lights instead of ducking under them.
Nine Men in Time | Noel Miller LoomisStanley was none the worse for his ducking, but poor Billy was unconscious, and had a large cut in his head, which looked serious.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands | R.M. BallantyneDucking back through the firedoor, he ran quickly up to the sixteenth floor, up past the fifteenth.
She sought a rock and hurled it up against 68 the boards, ducking as it rebounded back at her.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O | Clair BlankThis ducking stool was intended for the special benefit of vixens and scolding wives.
Our Churches and Chapels | Atticus
British Dictionary definitions for duck (1 of 4)
/ (dʌk) /
any of various small aquatic birds of the family Anatidae, typically having short legs, webbed feet, and a broad blunt bill: order Anseriformes
the flesh of this bird, used as food
the female of such a bird, as opposed to the male (drake)
any other bird of the family Anatidae, including geese, and swans
Also: ducks British informal dear or darling: used as a term of endearment or of general address: See also ducky
informal a person, esp one regarded as odd or endearing
cricket a score of nothing by a batsman
like water off a duck's back informal without effect
take to something like a duck to water informal to become adept at or attracted to something very quickly
Origin of duck
1British Dictionary definitions for duck (2 of 4)
/ (dʌk) /
to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away, esp so as to escape observation or evade a blow
to submerge or plunge suddenly and often briefly under water
(when intr, often foll by out) informal to dodge or escape (a person, duty, etc)
(intr) bridge to play a low card when possessing a higher one rather than try to win a trick
the act or an instance of ducking
Origin of duck
2Derived forms of duck
- ducker, noun
British Dictionary definitions for duck (3 of 4)
/ (dʌk) /
a heavy cotton fabric of plain weave, used for clothing, tents, etc: See also ducks
Origin of duck
3British Dictionary definitions for duck (4 of 4)
/ (dʌk) /
an amphibious vehicle used in World War II
Origin of duck
4Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with duck
In addition to the idioms beginning with duck
- duck out
- duck soup
also see:
- dead duck
- get one's ducks in a row
- lame duck
- like water off a duck's back
- sitting duck
- take to (like a duck to water)
- ugly duckling
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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