noun

duck

duck (bird), to duck (verb), dodge

We saw a duck on the pond.

We saw a duck on the pond.

He had to duck to avoid the ball.

He had to duck to avoid the ball.

a duck (noun) a type of bird A duck is swimming in the lake.

to duck ((down)) (verb) to lower your head or body You'll have to duck down to get through.

Noun synonyms: waterfowl, drake; Verb synonyms: dodge, bob, evade

The noun is from Old English 'dūce' (a ducker), and the verb from 'dūcan' (to dive). The bird is named for its diving action.

Picture a duck on a pond suddenly ducking its head under the water. The animal's name is the same as the action.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.