duck

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈdək

plural ducks

often attributive

Synonyms of duck next

or plural duck

: any of various swimming birds (family Anatidae, the duck family) in which the neck and legs are short, the feet typically webbed, the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes usually different from each other in plumage

—often used figuratively in phrases like have one's ducks in a row, get one's ducks in a row, or put one's ducks in a row to describe being or becoming thoroughly prepared or organized

Her program's 10-week curriculum … uses a budget book to help first-timers get their financial ducks in a row.—

Eileen Jenkins

I'm to prepare for a formal review in two weeks. Reserve a conference room. Get all my ducks in a row.—

Chuck Palahniuk

The association was set to move forward last spring, then realized it didn't have its ducks in a row and essentially requested a Congressional bailout.—

Pat Forde

I was sure I had all of my ducks in a row before the event finally arrived. Somehow, it didn't turn out as planned.—

Jerry Carlson

… had prepared for a year, meeting with institutional investors and putting its ducks in a row for public scrutiny for months …—

Alex Konrad

: the flesh of any of these birds used as food

The menu features roast duck.

: a female duck compare drake

: person, creature

You lucky duck!

Illustration of duck

1 bean
2 bill
3 nostril
4 head
5 eye
6 auricular region
7 neck
8 cape
9 shoulder
10 11 wing coverts
12 saddle
13 secondaries
14 primaries
15 rump
16 drake feathers
17 tail
18 tail coverts
19 down
20 shank
21 web
22 breast
23 wing front
24 wing bow

duck

2 of 4

verb

ducked; ducking; ducks

intransitive verb

: to lower the head or body suddenly : dodge

: bow, bob

: to move quickly

: to evade a duty, question, or responsibility

: to plunge under the surface of water

: to descend suddenly : dip

transitive verb

: to lower (the head, the body, etc.) quickly : bow

: avoid, evade

duck the issue

British : to thrust (someone or something) underwater : dunk

ducker noun

duck

3 of 4

noun (2)

: an instance of ducking

duck

4 of 4

noun (3)

: a durable closely woven usually cotton fabric

ducks plural : light clothes and especially trousers made of duck

Examples of duck in a Sentence

Noun (1) her coworkers regard her as something of an odd duck Verb The ceiling was so low I had to duck my head. He ducked his head so they wouldn't see him. We can't afford to duck the issue any longer. They've been ducking each other for months. She ducked into a store when it started to rain. He ducked around a corner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Verb

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign pulled out of its own 60 Minutes spot and continues to disproportionately duck away from any media accountability altogether. —

Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024 Vance, a retired Marine and Iraq war veteran, has accused Walz of ducking deployment by strategically retiring to run for Congress before his unit was called up in 2005. —

Phillip M. Bailey, The Enquirer, 30 Sep. 2024

Noun

Bucks that seem alert and nervous — look for twitchy ears and a constantly bobbing head — are more likely to detect you movement and are also more likely to duck arrows. —

Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024 Knowing how popular the ducks are, the Peabody created the Ducky Day package, which gives guests the chance to help Duckmaster Kenon Walker lead the morning march. —

Catherine Garcia, theweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for duck

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English duk, doke, from Old English dūce

Verb

Middle English douken; akin to Old High German tūhhan to dive, Old English dūce duck

Noun (3)

Dutch doek cloth; akin to Old High German tuoh cloth

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Noun (2)

1554, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of duck was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing duck

Cite this Entry

Style

“Duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duck. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

duck

1 of 4 noun

ˈdək

plural duck or ducks

: any of various typically web-footed swimming birds with the neck and legs short, the body heavy, the bill often broad and flat, and the males and females usually differing in color

also : the flesh of a duck used as food

duck

2 of 4 verb

: to thrust or plunge underwater

: to lower the head or body suddenly

: to move quickly : disappear suddenly

he ducked around the corner to escape detection

: to evade a duty, question, or responsibility : dodge entry 2

ducked our question

ducker noun

duck

3 of 4 noun

: a coarse usually cotton cloth

plural : clothes made of duck

duck

4 of 4 noun

: an amphibious truck

Etymology

Noun

Old English dūce "duck"

Verb

Middle English douken "thrust under water"

Noun

from Dutch doek "cloth"

Noun

altered form of DUKW, military code name for this vehicle

Medical Definition

duck

noun

ˈdək

plural ducks or duck

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duck

noun (1)

Illustration of duck

verb

noun (2)

noun (3)

Synonyms

Examples of duck in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near duck

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition