cluck

verb

\ ˈklək

clucked; clucking; clucks

Definition of cluck

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to make a cluck

2 : to make a clicking sound with the tongue

3 : to express interest or concern critics clucked over the new developments

transitive verb

1 : to call with a cluck

2 : to express with interest or concern

cluck

noun

Definition of cluck (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the characteristic sound made by a hen especially in calling her chicks

2 : a stupid or naive person a dumb cluck

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cluck

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Examples of cluck in a Sentence

Verb

The hen clucked at her chicks. The driver clucked at the horses to get them moving. Commentators have been clucking over his lack of experience.

Noun

Don't be such a dumb cluck. stuck with a bunch of clucks on an extended bus tour

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Early one February morning, researchers harvest six eggs from a female rhesus macaque—one of 4000 monkeys chirping and clucking in a massive outdoor complex of metal cages here at the Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research. — Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, "China’s CRISPR push in animals promises better meat, novel therapies, and pig organs for people," 31 July 2019 Beanstalk-climbing Jack (Gaten Matarazzo), a poor boy no brighter than his beloved cow, Milky-White, and his clucking Mother (Rebecca Spencer) renewed their domestic antics with genuine feeling. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: ‘Into the Woods’ and stars align in magical night at the Hollywood Bowl," 28 July 2019 The sound of chickens clucking carries its way up the hill. — Leah Sottile, Longreads, "Chapter Five: The Remnant," 20 July 2019 With a focus toward fresh and local, the menu at downtown’s West Table Kitchen and Bar changes daily, but expect some sort of moo, cluck, swish or oink, including ribeye, duck, trout or pork chop. — Mary Ann Anderson, Twin Cities, "Lubbock is smack in middle of nowhere — and everywhere," 20 July 2019 Next, the governor brings lawmakers back in a Special Session, and tongue-clucking know-it-alls (like me) chide them for how much all this costs. — al.com, "How I learned to quit worrying and love the special session," 3 June 2019 Chickens scratch and cluck at the side of the road. — The Economist, "The world's first commercial drone-delivery service takes flight," 9 June 2018 But really, since a season isn’t complete without a costume, out clucked a chicken, aka David. — Becca Kufrin, PEOPLE.com, "Why Bachelorette Becca Kufrin Gave Garrett the First Impression Rose: He's 'Clever and Charming'," 29 May 2018 Her instantly recognisable song began with Barzilai mimicking chicken clucking sounds to loud cheers from fans. — NBC News, "Israel's Netta Barzilai wins Eurovision song contest," 13 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Next there’s the chuckle, a satisfied laugh, A cluck to yourself that feels good. — Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, "Bette Midler Looks Back on Her Autobiographical, Fantastical Children’s Book, “The Saga of Baby Divine”," 25 June 2019 Among the new offerings: the Oink Cluck Moo, a combination beef hot dog (the moo), chicken fingers (the cluck) and pulled pork (the oink). — Chris Kaltenbach, baltimoresun.com, "A guide to visiting all of Maryland's minor league ballparks," 10 July 2018 Then there is the matter of Kidjo’s lustrous voice versus Byrne’s chicken-ish cluck. — Philly.com, "Album reviews: Nine Inch Nails, Lily Allen, Angelique Kidjo," 21 June 2018 Shapiro is almost too creepy, with the little clucks of her tongue and strange behavior. — Bill Goodykoontz, azcentral, "'Hereditary:' 127 minutes of pure horror," 7 June 2018 This premiere of the 12th season includes a horse with teeth troubles, chickens whose clucks have turned to gurgles and some high-strung emus. — Gabe Cohn, New York Times, "What’s on TV Saturday: ‘The Incredible Dr. Pol’ and ‘Everything, Everything’," 6 Jan. 2018 In this wordless piece of form-bending theater, an ensemble of eight makes their pleasures and displeasures known with aggressive clucks and herky-jerky movement. — Dusty Somers, The Seattle Times, "Review: ‘Into the Deeps’ runs silent as it explores careless treatment of the environment," 12 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cluck.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.