tucker
1 Americanverb (used with object)
noun
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Richard, 1915–75, U.S. operatic tenor.
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Sophie Sophie Abruza, 1884–1966, U.S. singer and entertainer, born in Russia.
noun
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a person or thing that tucks
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a detachable yoke of lace, linen, etc, often white, worn over the breast, as of a low-cut dress
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an attachment on a sewing machine used for making tucks at regular intervals
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old-fashioned an informal word for food
verb
Etymology
Origin of tucker1
First recorded in 1225–75, tucker is from the Middle English word tokere. See tuck 1, -er 1
Origin of tucker2
Explanation
As a noun, a tucker is either someone who sews tiny pleats in fabric or an old-fashioned fabric insert in the neck of a dress. As an informal verb, tucker means "exhaust or tire." If you're a tucker, you're a sewer or a stitcher. And if you wear an antique dress, it may have a tucker made of lace or linen that's sewn into its neckline. These days, you're more likely to hear tucker used as a verb. A long day at the zoo may tucker out your four-year-old cousin. Experts believe that this New England slang might stem from tucker, an informal verb used to mean "exhaust a dog."
Vocabulary lists containing tucker
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I will take my French mastiff Rosie for a hike at Fryman Canyon to tucker her out for the day and also just feel like I moved on a Sunday.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2025
"Goannas are significant cultural totems for Traditional Owners across northern Australia, and an important bush tucker food," Dr Ward-Fear says.
From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2024
The duchess joked that she thought she was "in trouble" and that they were going to make her do one of their "tucker trials."
From Fox News • Oct. 19, 2021
“We’ve always shot bush tucker to eat. That’s one thing I like about ’roo shooting.
From Washington Post • Apr. 15, 2021
“Gods, I’m exhausted. There’s nothing like the certain knowledge of your own death to tucker you out.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.