quack
1the harsh, throaty cry of a duck or any similar sound.
to utter the cry of a duck or a sound resembling it.
Origin of quack
1Other definitions for quack (2 of 2)
a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill: Desperation for a cure led her to a quack who took her money.
a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or qualifications they do not possess; a charlatan.
being a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to skills, especially medical skills: He's just a quack psychologist who complicates everyone's problems.
presented falsely as having curative powers: quack medicine.
of, relating to, or befitting a quack or quackery: Her quack methods have helped no one.
to treat in the manner of a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill.
to advertise or sell with fraudulent claims.
Origin of quack
2Other words for quack
Other words from quack
- quack·ish, adjective
- quack·ish·ly, adverb
- quack·ish·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use quack in a sentence
"Better than grubbing for bugs in the dirty earth, this nice clean cool water," quacked he, and he was as happy as happy could be.
Seven O'Clock Stories | Robert Gordon AndersonThe greedy duck snatched it, and in less than half a minute she opened her great bill again, and quacked for more.
The Nursery, September 1881, Vol. XXX | VariousThey quacked and scuffled in the thick reeds at night, as we walked near them.
Thirty Years in Australia | Ada CambridgeThe Duck quacked and made a great noise, but she was soon silenced.
Canadian Fairy Tales | Cyrus MacmillanThe duck flew in, as before, and the prince caught her by the wing; she quacked, and tried to get away.
Polish Fairy Tales | A. J. Glinski
British Dictionary definitions for quack (1 of 2)
/ (kwæk) /
(of a duck) to utter a harsh guttural sound
to make a noise like a duck
the harsh guttural sound made by a duck
Origin of quack
1British Dictionary definitions for quack (2 of 2)
/ (kwæk) /
an unqualified person who claims medical knowledge or other skills
(as modifier): a quack doctor
British, Australian and NZ informal a doctor; physician or surgeon
(intr) to act in the manner of a quack
Origin of quack
2Derived forms of quack
- quackish, adjective
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
Browse