duck

duck — noun

1. a common water bird with short legs, a wide flat beak, and feet joined by skin (

1.nounA2
Definition

a common water bird with short legs, a wide flat beak, and feet joined by skin (webbed feet), often seen swimming on ponds, lakes, and rivers

Example

Every morning the children feed the ducks and geese on the village pond.

collocation: feed the ducks

A wild duck landed on the lake near Aoi's cabin and stayed for three days.

Common collocations
  • feed the ducks
  • wild duck
  • duck pond
  • duck feathers

2. the meat of a duck, cooked and eaten as a meal

2.nounB1
Definition

the meat of a duck, cooked and eaten as a meal

Example

The chef roasted a whole duck with honey and served it with vegetables.

common dish: roast duck

Asher ordered crispy duck pancakes at the Chinese restaurant near his flat.

collocation: crispy duck / duck pancakes

Common collocations
  • roast duck
  • crispy duck
  • duck breast
  • duck soup

Usage Note

Uncountable as a food ingredient ('some duck', 'roast duck'). Countable only when referring to whole birds ('two ducks in the oven').

Common Mistakes

I ordered a duck for dinner.' (when meaning the dish)
I ordered duck for dinner.
as food it is uncountable unless you mean the whole bird.

3. an affectionate word you call a person you are fond of, similar to 'dear' or 'da

3.nounB2
Definition

an affectionate word you call a person you are fond of, similar to 'dear' or 'darling'

Example

Thanks for the flowers, duck — that was so thoughtful of you!

informal British term of address

Don't worry about it, duck, everything will work out fine.

Synonyms
  • dear

    more widely used across regions and age groups

  • darling

    more intimate, often used between romantic partners

  • love

    common in British English as a friendly address

Usage Note

Used mainly in British and Australian English. More common among older speakers and in northern England. Can sound unnatural in American English.

Common Mistakes

Using it in formal writing (e.g., a job application).
Reserve for casual conversation with people you know well.

4. a score of zero runs, given to a batter who is out before scoring any runs in a

4.nounC1
Definition

a score of zero runs, given to a batter who is out before scoring any runs in a cricket match

Example

Ezra was out for a duck in the season's first match, disappointing the team.

phrase: out for a duck

The captain scored a golden duck — out on the very first ball he faced.

specific term: golden duck (out on first ball)

Common collocations
  • out for a duck
  • golden duck
  • score a duck

Usage Note

Almost always used with the indefinite article: 'a duck'. A golden duck means being out on the first ball. A diamond duck means being out without facing a ball.

Idioms

a dead duck

idiom

A plan or idea that has already failed or will definitely fail, so it is not worth discussing.

The new project was a dead duck after the budget was cut.

Is your proposal a dead duck, or can we still save it?

get/have (all) your ducks in a row

idiom

To be fully prepared and well organized for something you need to do.

Maya had all her ducks in a row before the big presentation.

Have you got your ducks in a row for the exam next week?

(take to something) like a duck to water

idiom

To learn or become comfortable with something very quickly and easily.

Diego took to skiing like a duck to water on his first trip.

She took to the new software like a duck to water.

(like) water off a duck’s back

idiom

Used to say that criticism or negative comments have no effect on someone.

The teacher's warnings were water off a duck's back to the lazy student.

Criticism rolls off him like water off a duck's back.

duck — verb