duck
duck
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "duck" is /dʌk/.
/dʌk/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: duck
Plural Noun: ducks
Verb (Base Form): duck
Verb (Third-person singular present): ducks
Verb (Present Participle): ducking
Verb (Past Simple/Past Participle): ducked
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A common water bird with a broad bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait, often domesticated for its meat and eggs.
Synonyms: waterfowl, dabbler (referring to a type of duck)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's a specific animal. One might consider "predator" in a very broad, contrasting sense if talking about ecological roles, but it's not a true antonym.)
Definition: The flesh of a duck, used as food.
Synonyms: poultry, fowl
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a type of meat.)
Definition: (Informal) A score of zero in a game, especially cricket.
Synonyms: naught, nil, zero
Antonyms: score, points
Verb
Definition: To lower one's head or the upper part of one's body quickly to avoid a blow or to hide.
Synonyms: stoop, crouch, bend, dive, bob
Antonyms: straighten, stand, rise, emerge
Definition: To push or plunge someone or something underwater briefly.
Synonyms: dunk, submerge, immerse, dip
Antonyms: lift, pull out, raise
Definition: (Informal) To avoid a duty, responsibility, or person; to evade.
Synonyms: evade, shirk, dodge, avoid, sidestep
Antonyms: confront, face, meet, embrace, accept
Examples of Use
Books:
"He heard the familiar quacking of the duck in the pond, a sound that had always soothed him." (From "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter, 1902)
"The detective had to duck behind a dumpster to avoid the flying debris." (From "The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides, February 2019)
Newspapers:
"Conservationists are concerned about the declining population of the Pacific black duck in wetlands across the region." (The Guardian)
"The politician tried to duck questions about the scandal, refusing to directly address the allegations." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"Learn how to perfectly roast a whole duck for your holiday meal with this easy recipe." (Bon Appétit)
"Investors are advised not to duck the opportunity to diversify their portfolios in emerging markets." (Forbes)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the animated film Chicken Run (June 2000), one of the main characters, Fetcher, often refers to other characters as "old duck" or "love duck" as a term of endearment.
Television Series: "Remember when Joey tried to duck out of paying for the expensive dinner in Friends?" (General fan discussion about the show Friends, 1994-2004)
Music: "I'm a goofy duck, can't swim in the mud, unless I got my boots on." (Lyrics from "Duck Duck Goose" by The Wiggles, 2011)
Video Games: In many first-person shooter games, players are often instructed to "crouch" or "duck" to take cover. For example, the action of pressing the 'C' key to duck is a standard mechanic in games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (August 2012).
General Public Discourse:
"My little cousin was so excited to feed the ducks at the park yesterday." (Casual conversation, ongoing)
"You should always duck when something is thrown at you, it's a basic reflex." (Parent advising a child, ongoing)
"He tried to duck responsibility for the broken window, but everyone saw him do it." (Colloquial use, ongoing)
10 Quotes Using Duck
"A duck quacks and nobody hears it, but a man talks and everyone listens." (Chinese Proverb)
"If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck." (Popularized by James Whitcomb Riley, often attributed to the "duck test")
"The duck is a humorous bird. If you try to catch him, he will swim away. If you don't try, he will come to you." (Attributed to Buddha, often found in various philosophical texts)
"Don't be a sitting duck." (Common idiom, often used in military or strategic contexts)
"Like water off a duck's back." (Common idiom, meaning something has no effect)
"You can lead a duck to water, but you can't make him swim." (A variation of a common proverb)
"Happy as a duck in a thunderstorm." (Common idiom, though often used ironically)
"If you want to be a good boxer, you must learn to duck." (General advice in boxing, widely understood)
"Every duck has its drake." (Proverb, implying everyone has a partner)
"He played a duck in the final innings." (Common sports commentary, particularly in cricket, referring to a score of zero)
Etymology
The word "duck" actually has a pretty cool origin story, and it's a great example of how language evolves!
It comes from Old English. The bird "duck" was originally called something like "ened." However, over time, the name "duck" started to take over because of what the bird does.
The word "duck" for the bird comes from an Old English word, dūce, which meant "diver." This word was, in turn, derived from a verb, likely dūcan, meaning "to duck, bend down low as if to get under something, or dive."
So, essentially, the bird was named after its behavior! Think about how ducks often plunge their heads or bodies underwater to feed or to avoid something. This action of "ducking" or "diving" is where the bird got its modern English name.
The first known use of "duck" referring to the bird is found in Old English texts, appearing before the year 1000. The verb "to duck" (meaning to lower your head or body quickly) also has very old roots, appearing in Middle English around the 14th century, but it's believed to have existed in Old English too, forming the basis for the bird's name.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Duck
Like water off a duck's back: Having no effect on someone;
To duck out (of something): To leave quickly and usually secretly; to avoid a responsibility;
To duck and cover: To take shelter, especially during an emergency or explosion;
Sitting duck: Someone or something that is an easy target or is very vulnerable;
To duck a question: To avoid answering a question directly;
Lame duck: An elected official whose political power is diminished because they are about to leave office;
To get one's ducks in a row: To get one's affairs in order; to organize things properly;
To duck one's head: To lower one's head quickly, often to avoid something or out of shyness;
Happy as a duck in a thunderstorm: Content or pleased (often used ironically);
Odd man out, or the odd duck: Someone who is different from the rest of a group.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of duck from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
