duck

²duck

verb

Definition of DUCK

transitive verb

1

: to thrust under water

2

: to lower (as the head) quickly : bow

3

: avoid, evade <duck the issue>

intransitive verb

1

a : to plunge under the surface of water b : to descend suddenly : dip

2

a : to lower the head or body suddenly : dodge b : bow, bob

3

a : to move quickly b : to evade a duty, question, or responsibility

— duck·er noun

Examples of DUCK

1. The ceiling was so low I had to duck.
2. The ceiling was so low I had to duck my head.
3. He ducked his head so they wouldn't see him.
4. We can't afford to duck the issue any longer.
5. They've been ducking each other for months.
6. She ducked into a store when it started to rain.
7. He ducked around a corner.

Origin of DUCK

Middle English douken; akin to Old High German tūhhan to dive, Old English dūce duck

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DUCK

Synonyms: avoid, dodge, escape, elude, eschew, evade, finesse, get around, scape, shake, shirk, shuffle (out of), shun, weasel (out of)

Related Words: miss; avert, deflect, divert, obviate, parry, prevent, ward (off); ban, bar, debar, eliminate, except, exclude, preclude, rule out; bypass, circumvent, skirt; foil, fox, frustrate, outfox, outsmart, outwit, overreach, thwart

Near Antonyms: accept, court, embrace, pursue, seek, welcome; catch, contract, incur

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide