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

Even a peep of news about a new flu pandemic is enough to set scientists clucking about eggs.

From Salon

“I made your favorite biryani,” Naano says, and clucks her disapproval.

From Literature

“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

When Dad said that, Sitti made this clucking noise with her tongue.

From Literature

Mama clucked her tongue and placed a firm grip on Ella's shoulders as they made their way toward the turbaned man with the floating scroll.

From Literature

Related Words

• coo