duck

/dʌk/
noun
  1. A common waterbird with a broad flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
    • Ducks migrate south for the winter every year.
    • The children fed bread crumbs to the ducks at the lake.
    • A family of ducks swam across the pond in the park.
  2. The flesh of a duck used as food.
    • She cooked duck for the holiday dinner.
    • Duck is a popular dish in many Asian cuisines.
    • We ordered roast duck with orange sauce at the restaurant.
  3. A score of zero in cricket.
    • The batsman was out for a duck on the first ball.
    • Getting a duck is every cricketer's worst nightmare.
    • He scored a duck in the final match of the tournament.
verb
  1. To lower the head or body quickly to avoid something.
    • She ducked behind the car when she heard the loud noise.
    • He ducked to avoid the low-hanging branch.
    • The player ducked just in time to dodge the ball.
  2. To avoid or evade something, such as a question, duty, or responsibility.
    • You can't duck your responsibilities forever.
    • He ducked out of the meeting early to avoid the discussion.
    • The politician tried to duck the reporter's difficult question.
  3. To push someone or something under water briefly.
    • The mother ducked her duckling to teach it how to dive.
    • He playfully ducked his friend's head under the water.
    • The kids ducked each other in the swimming pool.
Antonyms