duckling

[ duhk-ling ]

/ ˈdʌk lɪŋ /

Save This Word!

noun

a young duck.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of duckling

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; see origin at duck¹, -ling¹

Words nearby duckling

duckfoot quote, duck hawk, duckie, ducking stool, duck-legged, duckling, duck on a rock, duck out, duckpin, ducks, ducks and drakes

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use duckling in a sentence

Earlier research studied how much energy ducklings burn while swimming.
Here’s why ducklings swim in a row behind mom|Emily Conover|November 16, 2021|Science News For Students
When a duckling swims on its own, it kicks up waves in its wake, using up some energy that would otherwise send it surging ahead.
Here’s the physics of why ducklings swim in a row behind their mother|Emily Conover|October 20, 2021|Science News
Earlier measurements of duckling metabolism showed that the youngsters saved energy when swimming behind a leader, but the physics behind that savings wasn’t known.
Here’s the physics of why ducklings swim in a row behind their mother|Emily Conover|October 20, 2021|Science News
They’re like little ducklings that are together all the time.
Virginia Tech’s Keve Aluma overwhelms Virginia for a Commonwealth Clash upset|Gene Wang|January 31, 2021|Washington Post

It should be no surprise when you turn the page, see a duckling looking curiously into your eyes and feel an emotional connection.
Animal coffee table books that make great gifts and conversation fodder|PopSci Commerce Team|October 1, 2020|Popular-Science
Eliza was the ugly duckling of her high school, voted “Most Butt” of her senior class.
‘Selfie’ Is Both a Brilliant and Terrible TV Show|Kevin Fallon|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It's fashionable to lament the status of the novella: unjustly neglected, the ugly duckling of the literary world, etc.
In Praise of Short|Taylor Antrim|August 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST
In his six years in Paris, Lebovitz transforms himself from a clueless American duckling into a knowing Parisian swan.
An American in Paris—with Brownies|Kathleen Willcox|May 8, 2009|DAILY BEAST
And now it had turned out a real little duckling, that black little fellow Mother Wyandotte was scolding so.
Seven O'Clock Stories|Robert Gordon Anderson
Finally only one duckling remained in the middle of the river, probably at once the strongest and most foolish of the brood.
Gold-Seeking on the Dalton Trail|Arthur R. Thompson
Lulu was a duckling who could throw a stone almost as well as could Jimmie, but Alice was not so fond of doing this.
Lulu, Alice and Jimmie Wibblewobble|Howard R. Garis
They were an odd contrast—the mother and son—suggesting the homely but immortal comparison of the hen with the ugly duckling.
The Camp Fire Girls at the End of the Trail|Margaret Vandercook
In other words, the elements farmer, kill, and duckling define concepts of a concrete order.
Language|Edward Sapir

British Dictionary definitions for duckling

duckling

/ (ˈdʌklɪŋ) /

noun

a young duck

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012