# drake

/ˈdɹeɪk/ (US) · /dɹˈeɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drake
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. male duck

noun · CEFR B2

a male duck.

For teachers: the adult male of any species of duck.

- The drake has much brighter feathers than the female duck.
- A lone drake paddled across the pond, its iridescent green head shimmering in the afternoon light.

### 2. dragon

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

a dragon, especially in old stories or poems.

For teachers: a dragon or legendary serpent-like creature.

- The old poem tells of a fire-breathing drake guarding a pile of gold.
- The knight descended into the cavern to confront the sleeping drake, whose scales were said to be harder than tempered steel.

### 3. Viking ship

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a type of Viking warship with a dragon's head on the front.

For teachers: a Viking longship or galley, often decorated with a dragon-headed prow.

- The Viking drake sailed into the harbour with its red sails high.
- Historical accounts describe the terror inspired by the sight of a Norse drake appearing on the horizon during the raiding season.

## Examples

- The drake has much brighter feathers than the female duck.
- A single drake stood out among the brown ducks due to its shiny green head and yellow beak.
- While the female mallard relies on mottled brown plumage for camouflage while nesting, the drake displays vibrant, iridescent colors to attract a mate during the breeding season.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.