plural clucks
1
a
: a short, low sound that is made by a chicken
b
: a short, low sound that is used to show disapproval or sympathy
clucks of disapproval
2
US, informal
: a stupid or foolish person
Don't be such a dumb cluck.
clucks; clucked; clucking
1
of a chicken
: to make a low sound
The hen clucked at her chicks.
2
: to make a low sound with the tongue
The driver clucked at the horses to get them moving.
She clucked in sympathy/disappointment.
He clucked his tongue.
3
informal
: to talk about something in an excited and often disapproving way
Commentators have been clucking over/about his lack of experience.
Cite this Entry
“Cluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/cluck. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
