duck

A water bird with a wide, flat beak and feet that help it swim.

• A duck swam across the pond.
• The ducks followed us along the river.
• Did you hear that duck quack?

Common phrases: wild duck, feed a duck, duck pond

Meat from this water bird, eaten as food.

• We had duck for dinner.
• She served roast duck with potatoes.
• How long should I cook the duck breast?

Common phrases: roast duck, crispy duck, duck breast

A score of no runs by a cricket player who is out.

• He was out for a duck.
• The captain scored a duck in her first innings.
• Two ducks weakened the team's chances of winning.

How to use it: out for a duck (Their opening batter was out for a duck.)

Common phrases: out for a duck, golden duck, score a duck

Strong, closely woven cotton or linen cloth used for sails, bags, and similar things.

• The bag is made of cotton duck.
• They used heavy duck for the tent.
• This duck fabric is strong enough for outdoor covers.

Similar words: canvas, sailcloth

Common phrases: cotton duck, duck fabric, heavy duck

A friendly name used when speaking to someone, especially in parts of England.

• Hello, duck! How are you?
• Thanks, duck, that's very kind.
• Come inside, my duck, and have some tea.

Similar words: dear, love, darling

Common phrases: hello duck, thanks duck, my duck

To lower your head or body quickly to avoid being hit or seen.

• Duck! There's a low branch.
• She ducked her head as the ball flew past.
• We had to duck under the doorway.

How to use it: duck under something (He ducked under the low branch.)

Similar words: crouch, stoop

Common phrases: duck your head, duck under something, duck down

To avoid a task, question, or responsibility that you should deal with.

• Don't duck the question.
• He ducked his responsibilities again.
• The minister keeps ducking the issue of housing costs.

Similar words: avoid, evade, dodge, shirk

Opposites: face

Common phrases: duck a question, duck responsibility, duck the issue

To go into a place quickly, usually for a short time.

• I'll duck into the shop.
• She ducked inside to get her coat.
• We ducked into a doorway until the rain stopped.

How to use it: duck into a place (We ducked into a cafe to escape the rain.)

Similar words: pop into, slip into

Common phrases: duck into something, duck inside, duck in