quack

[ kwak ]

/ kwæk /

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See synonyms for: quack / quacked / quacking on Thesaurus.com

noun

the harsh, throaty cry of a duck or any similar sound.

verb (used without object)

to utter the cry of a duck or a sound resembling it.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of quack

First recorded in 1570–80; imitative; compare Dutch kwakken, German quacken

Words nearby quack

QTS, qty., qu., qua, Quaalude, quack, quackery, quack grass, quacksalver, Quaco, quad

Other definitions for quack (2 of 2)

quack²

[ kwak ]

/ kwæk /

noun

a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill: Desperation for a cure led her to a quack who took her money.

a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or qualifications they do not possess; a charlatan.

adjective

being a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to skills, especially medical skills: He's just a quack psychologist who complicates everyone's problems.

presented falsely as having curative powers: quack medicine.

of, relating to, or befitting a quack or quackery: Her quack methods have helped no one.

verb (used with object)

to treat in the manner of a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill.

to advertise or sell with fraudulent claims.

OTHER WORDS FOR quack

2 mountebank, phony.

See synonyms for quack on Thesaurus.com

Origin of quack

First recorded in 1630–40; short for quacksalver

OTHER WORDS FROM quack

quack·ish, adjectivequack·ish·ly, adverbquack·ish·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use quack in a sentence

For example, an Instagram search on healthy eating can bring up links for quack diets or sites promoting disordered eating habits.
Did Facebook put Instagram profits ahead of teen safety?|Kathiann Kowalski|November 1, 2021|Science News For Students
Their conspiracy theorists and quack cure purveyors were kept at the fringes, not given nightly forums on national television.
The pandemic didn’t have to be politicized. One party is to blame for it.|Paul Waldman|September 27, 2021|Washington Post
Once a new queen emerges, she stops quacking and starts tooting.
Quacks and toots help young honeybee queens avoid deadly duels|Sharon Oosthoek|September 14, 2020|Science News For Students
Extraordinary things occurred the last time Republicans took legislative power away from a liberal quack.
The GOP Senate: A New Utopia Dawns|P. J. O’Rourke|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Humor and historical distance allow me to illustrate how a quack operates in a way that I could not with a contemporary example.
The Strange, True Tale of the Old-Timey Goat Testicle-Implanting 'Governor'|Penny Lane|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many people quote quack “scientists” in a desperate attempt to deny climate change and our role in it.
Hope When the World’s Gone Off the Rails|Gene Robinson|July 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What matters is that race evolved into the Avoca Quack-Off, one of Nebraska's quirkiest -- or quackiest -- winter events.
My Duck is Faster than Yours|Justin Green|January 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Google his name, and the top two related searches come up as “Daniel Amen scam” and “Daniel Amen quack.”
Can Daniel Amen Read Your Mind?|Eliza Shapiro|December 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If you find a physician opposed to the use of antitoxin this simply means that he is a quack.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley
No, I'm only going to save the reputation of AEsculapius by giving him a prescription got from a quack to give to a goose.
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete|Gilbert Parker
"Only a quack medical concern looking for a stall to impress their come-ons," explained Waldemar.
Average Jones|Samuel Hopkins Adams
"I'll have my lawyer draw up a form of contract and mail it after you to-morrow," promised the quack with a crafty look.
Average Jones|Samuel Hopkins Adams
Why, I assumed that your quest of the quack's scion would have trained you down fit for anything.
Average Jones|Samuel Hopkins Adams

British Dictionary definitions for quack (1 of 2)

quack¹

/ (kwæk) /

verb (intr)

(of a duck) to utter a harsh guttural sound

to make a noise like a duck

noun

the harsh guttural sound made by a duck

Word Origin for quack

C17: of imitative origin; related to Dutch kwakken, German quacken

British Dictionary definitions for quack (2 of 2)

quack²

/ (kwæk) /

noun

an unqualified person who claims medical knowledge or other skills
(as modifier)a quack doctor

British, Australian and NZ informal a doctor; physician or surgeon

verb

(intr) to act in the manner of a quack

Derived forms of quack

quackish, adjective

Word Origin for quack

C17: short for quacksalver

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

quack

Origin of quack

Words nearby quack

Other definitions for quack (2 of 2)

OTHER WORDS FOR quack

Origin of quack

OTHER WORDS FROM quack

Words related to quack

How to use quack in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for quack (1 of 2)

Word Origin for quack

British Dictionary definitions for quack (2 of 2)

Derived forms of quack

Word Origin for quack