Duck Meaning and Definition
Duck
Pronunciation
/dʌk/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A small to medium-sized aquatic bird with feathers, webbed feet, and a bill, typically living in or near water, with a distinctive quack call.
Examples
- The duck swam calmly on the pond.
- Ducks are common in urban parks and gardens.
Synonyms
- Duckling
- Waterfowl
Antonyms
- Land bird
- Avian
Etymology
The word ‘Duck’ comes from Old English ‘duc’, related to Proto-Germanic ‘*dukiz’, and is thought to be imitative of the bird’s quack.
Usage Notes
The word ‘Duck’ is often used metaphorically to describe something or someone that is waterproof or able to withstand adversity.
Cultural References
The duck is featured prominently in Disney’s 1988 film “DuckTales,” and in the popular cartoon “A Flintstones Christmas Carol” as a symbol of Christmas joy.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To duck something: to avoid or evade it
- To duck down: to lower oneself to avoid or escape from something
- To follow someone like a duck to water: to follow someone easily or naturally
Related Words or Phrases
- Duckling
- Goose
- Waterfowl
Collocations
- Duck and cover
- Play duck, duck, goose
- Take a duck to water
Frequency of Use
The word ‘Duck’ is a common noun in modern English, with an estimated frequency of use of at least 10 times per 1 million words.
Common Misspellings
The most common misspelling of the word ‘Duck’ is ‘Ducke’, which is often confused with the English preposition ‘due’.