tuck

¹

[ tuhk ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put into a small, close, or concealing place:

   Tuck the money into your wallet.

2. to thrust in the loose end or edge of (a garment, covering, etc.) so as to hold closely in place (usually followed by in, up, under, etc.):

   Tuck in your blouse.

   Tuck the edge of the sheet under the mattress.

3. to cover snugly in or as if in this manner:

   She tucked the children into bed.

4. to pull up into a fold or folds; draw up into a folded arrangement (usually followed by in, up, etc.):

   to tuck up one's skirts;

   to tuck one's knees under one's chin.

5. Needlework. to sew tucks in.
6. to pass (a strand) above or below another one.
7. Informal. to eat or drink (usually followed by in, away, etc.):

   He tucked away a big meal.

verb (used without object)

1. to draw together; contract; pucker.
2. Needlework. to make tucks.
3. to fit securely or snugly:

   a bed that tucks into the corner.

4. to secure one's penis between one's legs so that the crotch is flat, often done by gender-diverse people as part of their gender expression:

   When I'm performing, I usually tuck, because it makes me feel more confident.

noun

1. something tucked or folded in.
2. Sewing. a fold, or one of a series of folds, made by doubling cloth upon itself and stitching parallel with the edge of the fold, used for decoration or for shortening or fitting a garment.
3. Diving, Gymnastics. a body position in which the head is lowered and the thighs held against the chest with the knees bent and the arms locked around the shins. Compare layout ( def 10 ), pike ⁷( def ).
4. Skiing. a crouch in which the ski poles are held close to the chest, extending back under the arms and parallel to the ground, as to maximize speed downhill.
5. Informal. a plastic surgery operation:

   a tummy tuck.

6. Nautical. the part of a vessel where the after ends of the outside planking or plating unite at the sternpost.
7. (in tying knots) the operation of passing one strand above or below another.
8. British Slang. food.

verb phrase

1. to eat with gusto:

   We tucked into a roast beef dinner.

tuck

²

[ tuhk ]

noun

, Informal.

1. tuxedo.

tuck

³

[ tuhk ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. a rapier, estoc, or other thrusting sword.

tuck

⁴

[ tuhk ]

noun

, Chiefly Scot.

1. a drumbeat or the sound of one beat on a drum.

tuck

¹

/ tʌk /

noun

1. a touch, blow, or stroke

verb

1. tr to touch or strike
2. intr to throb or bump

Tuck

²

/ tʌk /

noun

1. See Friar Tuck
   See Friar Tuck

tuck

³

/ tʌk /

verb

1. tr to push or fold into a small confined space or concealed place or between two surfaces

   to tuck a letter into an envelope

2. tr to thrust the loose ends or sides of (something) into a confining space, so as to make neat and secure

   to tuck the sheets under the mattress

3. to make a tuck or tucks in (a garment)
4. usually tr to draw together, contract, or pucker

noun

1. a tucked object or part
2. a pleat or fold in a part of a garment, usually stitched down so as to make it a better fit or as decoration
3. the part of a vessel where the after ends of the planking or plating meet at the sternpost
4. 1. an informal or schoolchild's word for food, esp cakes and sweets
   2. ( as modifier )

      a tuck box

5. a position of the body in certain dives in which the legs are bent with the knees drawn up against the chest and tightly clasped

tuck

⁴

/ tʌk /

noun

1. archaic.
   a rapier

Other Words From

• un·tucked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuck¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English t(o)uken “to stretch (cloth), torment,” Old English tūcian “to torment”; akin to Middle Low German tucken “to tug,” German zucken “to jerk”; tow ¹

Origin of tuck²

By shortening and respelling

Origin of tuck³

First recorded in 1500–10; earlier tocke, apparently phonetic variant of obsolete stock “sword,” from Italian stocco, from German Stock “stick”; cognate with stock

Origin of tuck⁴

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tukken “to beat, sound (said of a drum),” from Middle French (north) toker “to strike, touch”; touch

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuck¹

C16: from Middle English tukken to beat a drum, from Old Northern French toquer to touch ; compare tucket

Origin of tuck²

C14: from Old English tūcian to torment; related to Middle Dutch tucken to tug, Old High German zucchen to twitch

Origin of tuck³

C16: from French estoc sword, from Old French: tree trunk, sword, of Germanic origin

Idioms and Phrases

• nip and tuck

Example Sentences

On the downhills, ski mountaineers don’t get into as deep a tuck as alpine skiers, both because the terrain is a lot more uneven and unpredictable and, let’s be honest, because their legs are still shot from the uphill.

From Outside Online

First flip Second flip Biles said she chose to flip in a piked position, rather than a tuck, because it is easier for her to grab her legs.

From Washington Post

Even in the 1980s, Yurchenko attempted double tucks when she vaulted over stacked mats into the pit.

From Washington Post

First flipSecond flipBiles said she chose to flip in a piked position, rather than a tuck, because it is easier for her to grab her legs.

From Washington Post

Pre-pandemic, Cassileth says business was good as patients had more disposable income, and were excited to do popular procedures like liposuction, breast implants, and tummy tucks.

From Fortune

They saw the light years ago and now many do a healthy nip-and-tuck business, especially on noses.

From The Daily Beast

In 1966 a man called Dick Tuck stood as a Democrat in the California Senate elections.

From The Daily Beast

But did she really deserve all the nip-and-tuck hate-tweeting?

From The Daily Beast

She will then, at a time of her choosing, tuck it, say, into my carry-on bag just before I leave on a research trip.

From The Daily Beast

Romney is like the sheriff of Nottingham: all castle, no conviction; which makes Newt Gingrich the earthy Friar Tuck.

From The Daily Beast

And, old ink pot, tuck a horse blanket under my chin, and rub me down with brickbats while I feed!

From Project Gutenberg

I pick up the newspaper that had fallen under the seat, spread it over his legs, and tuck the ends underneath.

From Project Gutenberg

It is to guard against this that so many of his compatriots tuck their napkins in at their necks.

From Project Gutenberg

Ive seen a lot of booze-fighters, and helped tuck some of them underground, but I never saw any rum hound just like this guy.

From Project Gutenberg

I don't think you've grown much, Francie—and oh, by-the-bye, I believe there's a tuck that could be let down.'

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• insert
• pinch
• wrap