plural noun
Water birds with wide, flat bills and short legs. They can swim, and many kinds can fly.
The ducks are swimming in the pond.
She feeds the ducks at the park.
American English
How to pronounce ducks
noun · verbB1Common word
DUHKS
/dəks/
One syllable.
Form of duck
Ducks can be a plural noun or the third-person singular form of duck.
Water birds with wide, flat bills and short legs. They can swim, and many kinds can fly.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
third-person singular verb
A person quickly moves their head or body down to avoid being hit or seen.
He ducks under the low branch.
She ducks when the ball flies toward her.
third-person singular verb
A person avoids dealing clearly with a question, duty, or problem.
The manager ducks my question.
She ducks her responsibilities whenever there is a problem.
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.