duckling

[ duhk-ling ]

noun

1. a young duck.

duckling

/ ˈdʌklɪŋ /

noun

1. a young duck

Word History and Origins

Origin of duckling¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; duck ¹, -ling ¹

Example Sentences

Earlier research studied how much energy ducklings burn while swimming.

From 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.

From 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.

From Science News

They’re like little ducklings that are together all the time.

From 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.

From Popular-Science

Eliza was the ugly duckling of her high school, voted “Most Butt” of her senior class.

From The Daily Beast

It's fashionable to lament the status of the novella: unjustly neglected, the ugly duckling of the literary world, etc.

From The Daily Beast

In his six years in Paris, Lebovitz transforms himself from a clueless American duckling into a knowing Parisian swan.

From The Daily Beast

And now it had turned out a real little duckling, that black little fellow Mother Wyandotte was scolding so.

From Project Gutenberg

Finally only one duckling remained in the middle of the river, probably at once the strongest and most foolish of the brood.

From Project Gutenberg

Lulu was a duckling who could throw a stone almost as well as could Jimmie, but Alice was not so fond of doing this.

From Project Gutenberg

They were an odd contrast—the mother and son—suggesting the homely but immortal comparison of the hen with the ugly duckling.

From Project Gutenberg

In other words, the elements farmer, kill, and duckling define concepts of a concrete order.

From Project Gutenberg