Illustration of quail
plural quail or quails
: any of numerous small gallinaceous birds: such as
a
: an Old World migratory game bird (Coturnix coturnix)
b
: bobwhite
quailed; quailing; quails
2
: to recoil in dread or terror : cower
… the strongest quail before financial ruin …—
Samuel Butler †1902
Samuel Butler †1902
archaic
: to make fearful
Did you know?
Flinch, recoil, and wince are all synonyms of quail, but each word has a slightly different use. When you flinch, you fail to endure pain or to face something dangerous or frightening with resolution ("she faced her accusers without flinching"). Recoil implies a start or movement away from something through shock, fear, or disgust ("he recoiled at the suggestion of stealing"). Wince usually suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction to something ("she winced as the bright light suddenly hit her eyes"). Quail implies shrinking and cowering in fear ("he quailed before the apparition").
Examples of quail in a Sentence
Noun
We had quail for dinner.
Verb
Other politicians quailed before him.
He quailed at the thought of seeing her again.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 27 Nov. 2025
The result is a trip through cultures—such as grits topped with foie gras, quail with creole sauce, and the Low Country rice dish perloo with okra.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hosts the hunt for youth who are interested in learning how to quail hunt, who have not previously had the opportunity to participate in a hunt and who do not have someone to serve as a hunting mentor.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quail
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Noun
The bag contained festive items like clams, oysters, crab meat, quail, and smoked salmon.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 27 Nov. 2025
The result is a trip through cultures—such as grits topped with foie gras, quail with creole sauce, and the Low Country rice dish perloo with okra.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025
Verb
The result is a trip through cultures—such as grits topped with foie gras, quail with creole sauce, and the Low Country rice dish perloo with okra.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hosts the hunt for youth who are interested in learning how to quail hunt, who have not previously had the opportunity to participate in a hunt and who do not have someone to serve as a hunting mentor.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quail
Cite this Entry
“Quail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quail. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
quail
1 of 2 noun
plural quail or quails
: any of various mostly small plump game birds (as the bobwhite) that are related to the common domestic chicken
quail
2 of 2 verb
: to lose courage : shrink in fear
Etymology
Noun
Middle English quaile "quail (bird)," from early French quaile (same meaning), from Latin quaccula (same meaning), of imitative origin
Verb
Middle English quailen "to wither, decline," from early Dutch quelen (same meaning)
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