cluck

1 of 2

verb

clucked; clucking; clucks

intransitive verb

1
: to make a cluck
2
: to make a clicking sound with the tongue
3
: to express interest or concern
critics clucked over the new developments

transitive verb

1
: to call with a cluck
2
: to express with interest or concern

cluck

2 of 2

noun

1
: the characteristic sound made by a hen especially in calling her chicks
2
: a stupid or naive person
a dumb cluck

Examples of cluck in a Sentence

Verb The hen clucked at her chicks. The driver clucked at the horses to get them moving. Commentators have been clucking over his lack of experience. Noun Don't be such a dumb cluck. stuck with a bunch of clucks on an extended bus tour
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Unexpectedly, a character who seemed to be a stock figure — the dowdy matron, clucking over the girls in her charge — emerges as someone much richer and better, raising the show along with her. Jesse Green, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2025 At worst, friends who saw the post might have clucked at my show of poor taste in the face of tragedy and then moved on with their lives. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
To my ears the cluck of his call was even more seductive than the real thing. Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2025 Broody hens also cluck in a low tone, growl at other chickens when approached, and may keep their wings outstretched and their feathers puffed up. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cluck

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cluck was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cluck. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

cluck

noun
ˈklək
: the call of a hen especially to her chicks
cluck verb

More from Merriam-Webster on cluck

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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