cluck

¹

[ kluhk ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter the cry of a hen brooding or calling her chicks.
2. to make a similar sound; express concern, approval, etc., by such a sound.

verb (used with object)

1. to call or utter by clucking.

noun

1. the sound uttered by a hen when brooding, or in calling her chicks.
2. any clucking sound.

cluck

²

[ kluhk ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a dull-witted, stupid person; blockhead; dolt.

cluck

/ klʌk /

noun

1. the low clicking sound made by a hen or any similar sound

verb

1. intr (of a hen) to make a clicking sound
2. tr to call or express (a feeling) by making a similar sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of cluck¹

1475–85; variant of clock ¹ (now dial. and Scot), Middle English clokken, Old English cloccian to cluck; cognate with Dutch klokken

Origin of cluck²

1900–05, Americanism; special use of cluck ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cluck¹

C17: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

“I was on the dance floor acting strange,” the lyrics go, “flapping my arms I began to cluck, look at me, I’m the disco duck.”

From New York Times

Some are prop jokesters, like the woman who tells Gerry she grew up on a chicken farm "and my eggs are still very fresh" before starting to cluck like a hen.

From Salon

Debbie Cluck, a spokesperson, said it affects ambulances and the emergency room is open.

From Washington Times

Debbie Cluck, a spokesperson, said it affects ambulances and the emergency room is open.

From Seattle Times

In some West Orange households it’s known as Cluck Norris, Gobbles McFeathers and Wingston, to name just a few.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• coo