duck

1 of 2

noun

ˈdək 

plural ducks

often attributive

1

or plural duck

a

: any of various swimming birds (family Anatidae, the duck family) in which the neck and legs are short, the feet typically webbed, the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes usually different from each other in plumage

—often used figuratively in phrases like have one's ducks in a row, get one's ducks in a row, or put one's ducks in a row to describe being or becoming thoroughly prepared or organized

Her program's 10-week curriculum … uses a budget book to help first-timers get their financial ducks in a row.

—Eileen Jenkins

I'm to prepare for a formal review in two weeks. Reserve a conference room. Get all my ducks in a row.

—Chuck Palahniuk

The association was set to move forward last spring, then realized it didn't have its ducks in a row and essentially requested a Congressional bailout.

—Pat Forde

I was sure I had all of my ducks in a row before the event finally arrived. Somehow, it didn't turn out as planned.

—Jerry Carlson

… had prepared for a year, meeting with institutional investors and putting its ducks in a row for public scrutiny for months …

—Alex Konrad

b

: the flesh of any of these birds used as food

The menu features roast duck.

2

: a female duck compare drake

3

: person, creature

You lucky duck!

see also odd duck

4

chiefly British : darling

—often used in plural but singular in construction

'You all right, ducks?' Mum asked. 'You've got no colour at all.'

—Nan Chauncy

Illustration of duck

• 1 bean
• 2 bill
• 3 nostril
• 4 head
• 5 eye
• 6 auricular region
• 7 neck
• 8 cape
• 9 shoulder
• 10 11 wing coverts
• 12 saddle
• 13 secondaries
• 14 primaries
• 15 rump
• 16 drake feathers
• 17 tail
• 18 tail coverts
• 19 down
• 20 shank
• 21 web
• 22 breast
• 23 wing front
• 24 wing bow

one's ducks in a row

2 of 2

phrase

—used figuratively in phrases like have one's ducks in a row, get one's ducks in a row, or put one's ducks in a row to describe being or becoming thoroughly organized

Her program's 10-week curriculum … uses a budget book to help first-timers get their financial ducks in a row.

—Eileen Jenkins

I'm to prepare for a formal review in two weeks. Reserve a conference room. Get all my ducks in a row.

—Chuck Palahniuk

The association was set to move forward last spring, then realized it didn't have its ducks in a row and essentially requested a Congressional bailout.

—Pat Forde

I was sure I had all of my ducks in a row before the event finally arrived. Somehow, it didn't turn out as planned.

—Jerry Carlson

… had prepared for a year, meeting with institutional investors and putting its ducks in a row for public scrutiny for months …

—Alex Konrad

Synonyms of duck

Noun

• person
• man
• guy
• life
• bird
• creature
• fish

Examples of duck in a Sentence

Noun

her coworkers regard her as something of an odd duck

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For a classic Dallas meal, opt for the 16 oz Royal Ribeye from Sherman, and a side of duck fat tater tots. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026

About a month earlier, an unshaven Bonsack showed up tableside in a trucker cap to sauce my dry-aged Rohan duck, a $155 stunner of a special that sells out in the first 20-30 minutes every single night. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026

The ducks changed course too late and rose right into the path of the flying shot. —Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026

On the menu, respectively, these cultures are highlighted in the shrimp Mozambique with chili and lemon; duck rice with chorizo and saffron; and piri piri chicken. —Jillian Dara, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English duk, doke, from Old English dūce

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrase

1888, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing duck

• black duck
• cold duck
• dead duck
• diving duck
• duck and drake
• duck-billed dinosaur
• duck-billed platypus
• duck call
• duck hook
• duck out
• duck sauce
• duck soup
• fish duck
• lame duck
• (like) water off a duck's back
• long-tailed duck
• Muscovy duck
• odd duck
• Peking duck
• puddle duck
• ring-necked duck
• river duck
• ruddy duck
• sea duck
• sitting duck
• take to something like a duck (takes) to water
• wood duck

Rhymes for duck

• chuck
• cluck
• huck
• luck
• muck
• pluck
• puck
• ruck
• schmuck
• shuck
• snuck
• struck

Kids Definition

duck

1 of 4 noun

ˈdək 

plural duck or ducks

: any of various typically web-footed swimming birds with the neck and legs short, the body heavy, the bill often broad and flat, and the males and females usually differing in color

also : the flesh of a duck used as food

duck

2 of 4 verb

1

: to thrust or plunge underwater

2

: to lower the head or body suddenly

3

: to move quickly : disappear suddenly

he ducked around the corner to escape detection

4

: to evade a duty, question, or responsibility : dodge entry 2

ducked our question

ducker noun

duck

3 of 4 noun

1

: a coarse usually cotton cloth

2

plural : clothes made of duck

duck

4 of 4 noun

: an amphibious truck

Etymology

Noun

Old English dūce "duck"

Verb

Middle English douken "thrust under water"

Noun

from Dutch doek "cloth"

Noun

altered form of DUKW, military code name for this vehicle

Medical Definition

duck

noun

ˈdək 

plural ducks or duck

: any of various swimming birds (family Anatidae, the duck family) in which the neck and legs are short, the feet typically webbed, the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes usually different from each other in plumage