Quack - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

Maybe your like

SKIP TO CONTENT quack /kwæk/ /kwæk/ IPA guide

Other forms: quacks; quacking; quacked; quacker

There are good quacks and bad quacks. A good quack is the sound a duck makes. A bad quack is someone pretending to be a doctor. (You'd be better off visiting the duck with your ailment.)

If you ever get a chance to interview a celebrity duck, prepare to write the word quack in your notebook many, many times, because that’s all that ducks can say. The way you spell animal sounds changes depending what language you speak. In English a duck quacks, but in Danish a duck "raps," while Indonesian ducks "wek," and Romanian ducks say "mac." And that "MD" who isn’t really a doctor, but is good at pretending to be one? He's a quack. If you ever meet a quack that "quacks," please run.

Definitions of quack

noun the harsh sound of a duck see moresee less type of: sound the sudden occurrence of an audible event
verb utter quacking noises “The ducks quacked” see moresee less type of: emit, let loose, let out, utter express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words)
noun an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice see moresee less type of: Dr., MD, doc, doctor, medico, physician a licensed medical practitioner charlatan, mountebank a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes
adjective medically unqualified “a quack doctor” synonyms: unqualified not meeting the proper standards and requirements and training
verb act as a medical quack or a charlatan see moresee less type of: act, behave, do behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

Pronunciation US /kwæk/ UK /kwæk/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

MLA
APA
Chicago

Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘quack'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing quack

40 SAT words Beginning with "Q"

Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z.

Scrabble: Words that Begin with Q

Quentin quietly questioned Quinn's quirky quinoa quiche. Luckily, you don't have to question how to take advantage of the 10-point Q tile in Scrabble. You just need to study up on this quintessential list of Q words. Check out our other lists in the collection: High Scoring Words Two-Letter Words Four-Letter Words with 3 Vowels Words with 5 Vowels Words with no Vowels Words that Start with Q Words with Q without U Words that Start with X Palindromes

"Efrén Divided" by Ernesto Cisneros, Chapters 1–5

When his mother is deported, twelve-year-old Efrén must take on new responsibilities, including caring for his younger siblings. Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–11, Chapters 12–19

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Get started Learn with us

Learner subscriptions
Vocabulary lists
Dictionary
Test Prep
Join a Vocabulary Jam
Commonly confused words
Word of the day

Teach with us

For educators
For schools and districts
How it works
Success stories
Research
Professional development
Contact sales

Resources

Help articles/FAQ
Teaching resources
Learner resources
ESL/ELL resources
Grade level resources
IPA Pronunciation
Contact support

Leaderboards

Vocabulary Bowl
Today's leaders
Weekly leaders
Monthly leaders

About

Our Mission
Blog
Tell us what you think
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

My Account Log in Sign up

Log Out
My Learning
My Proficiency Report
My Profile
Schools & Teachers
My Classes
Assignments & Activities
My Lists
- Find a List to Learn...
- Create a New List...
My Progress
- Words I'm Learning
- My Trouble Words
- Words I've Mastered
- My Achievements
User Administration
User Authentication
My Account