definitions

quack

1
[ kwak ]
/ kwæk /
||
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noun

the harsh, throaty cry of a duck or any similar sound.

verb (used without object)

to utter the cry of a duck or a sound resembling it.

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RELATED WORDS

simulated, bum, pseudo, phony, pretended, fake, sham, dissembling, mountebank, faker, sharp, whip, counterfeit, actor, cheat, counterfeiter, humbug, pretender, fraud, impostor

Nearby words

qu yuan, qu'appelle, qu., qua, quaalude, quack, quack grass, quackery, quacksalver, quaco, quad

Origin of quack

1
1610–20; imitative; compare Dutch kwakken, German quacken

Definition for quack (2 of 2)

quack

2
[ kwak ]
/ kwæk /

noun

a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill.
a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to skill, knowledge, or qualifications he or she does not possess; a charlatan.

adjective

verb (used with object)

to treat in the manner of a quack.
to advertise or sell with fraudulent claims.

Origin of quack

2
First recorded in 1620–30; short for quacksalver

Related forms

quack·ish, adjectivequack·ish·ly, adverbquack·ish·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for quack

British Dictionary definitions for quack (1 of 2)

quack

1
/ (kwæk) /

verb (intr)

(of a duck) to utter a harsh guttural sound
to make a noise like a duck

noun

the harsh guttural sound made by a duck

Word Origin for quack

C17: of imitative origin; related to Dutch kwakken, German quacken

British Dictionary definitions for quack (2 of 2)

quack

2
/ (kwæk) /

noun

  1. an unqualified person who claims medical knowledge or other skills
  2. (as modifier)a quack doctor
British, Australian and NZ informal a doctor; physician or surgeon

verb

(intr) to act in the manner of a quack

Derived Forms

quackish, adjective

Word Origin for quack

C17: short for quacksalver
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

Medicine definitions for quack

quack

[ kwăk ]

n.

An untrained person who pretends to be a physician and dispenses medical advice and treatment.
A charlatan.

Related forms

quack′er•y n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.