Illustration of quail
plural quail or quails
: any of numerous small gallinaceous birds: such as
a
: an Old World migratory game bird (Coturnix coturnix)
b
: bobwhite
quailed; quailing; quails
2
: to recoil in dread or terror : cower
the strongest quail before financial ruin—
Samuel Butler †1902
Samuel Butler †1902
archaic
: to make fearful
Did you know?
Flinch, recoil, and wince are all synonyms of quail, but each word has a slightly different use. When you flinch, you fail to endure pain or to face something dangerous or frightening with resolution ("she faced her accusers without flinching"). Recoil implies a start or movement away from something through shock, fear, or disgust ("he recoiled at the suggestion of stealing"). Wince usually suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction to something ("she winced as the bright light suddenly hit her eyes"). Quail implies shrinking and cowering in fear ("he quailed before the apparition").
Examples of quail in a Sentence
Noun
We had quail for dinner.
Verb
Other politicians quailed before him.
He quailed at the thought of seeing her again.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2024
Ducks and quail have also been euthanized after bird flu was detected among them, as has at least one eagle.
—Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Few have the financial resources to brave the periodic downdrafts in the stock market without quailing.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for quail
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Visitors can camp, hike, look for birds (including Montezuma quail) from one of the best bird blinds in the state, or drive up the 5-mile scenic Skyline Drive to a rock overlook at the top.
—Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2024
Ducks and quail have also been euthanized after bird flu was detected among them, as has at least one eagle.
—Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
Despite fears that the lingering climate of uncertainty would quail buyers, the challenges that sourcing from Bangladesh presents don’t appear to be insurmountable, at least from the United States’ point of view.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Few have the financial resources to brave the periodic downdrafts in the stock market without quailing.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for quail
Cite this Entry
“Quail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quail. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
quail
1 of 2 noun
plural quail or quails
: any of various mostly small plump game birds (as the bobwhite) that are related to the common domestic chicken
quail
2 of 2 verb
: to lose courage : shrink in fear
Etymology
Noun
Middle English quaile "quail (bird)," from early French quaile (same meaning), from Latin quaccula (same meaning), of imitative origin
Verb
Middle English quailen "to wither, decline," from early Dutch quelen (same meaning)
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