noun
A water bird with a wide, flat bill and short legs. It can swim, and many kinds can fly.
A duck was swimming across the pond.
We saw wild ducks near the lake.
Common phrases & grammar
wild duck · duck pond · rubber duck
American English
How to pronounce duck
noun · verbB1Common word
DUHK
/dək̚/
One syllable.
A water bird with a wide, flat bill and short legs. It can swim, and many kinds can fly.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
verb
To move your head or body down quickly so that something does not hit you or so that people cannot see you.
Duck your head under the branch.
He ducked when the ball flew toward him.
Common phrases & grammar
duck your head · duck under a branch
duck + your + body part
duck under + noun
verb
To avoid dealing with a question, duty, or problem, often by not giving a clear answer.
The manager ducked my question.
She keeps ducking her responsibilities.
Common phrases & grammar
duck a question · duck responsibility · duck the issue
duck + a/the + question
duck + responsibility
nounless common
The meat of this bird, eaten as food.
We ordered roast duck for dinner.
Duck is often served with a sweet sauce.
Common phrases & grammar
roast duck · duck breast · duck fat
Useful expressions
A person or thing that is easy to attack or criticize.
Without protection, the small business was a sitting duck for online scammers.
Having no lasting effect on someone, especially when said about criticism or insults.
She treats rude comments like water off a duck's back.
To begin doing something easily and enjoyably.
Maya took to her new job like a duck to water.