# ducks

/ˈdəks/ (US) · /dˈʌks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ducks
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. water birds

noun · CEFR A1

more than one duck (a common bird that lives near water).

For teachers: the plural form of the common aquatic bird of the family Anatidae.

- The children enjoyed feeding bread to the ducks at the local pond.
- Several species of wild ducks migrate to these wetlands during the winter months to escape the freezing northern temperatures.

### 2. term of endearment

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Dialect

a friendly way to address someone, similar to 'dear' or 'love'.

For teachers: a traditional regional term of endearment used to address a person, regardless of gender.

- Don't worry about the mess, ducks, I'll help you clean it up.
- In many parts of the East Midlands, you will frequently hear shopkeepers address their customers as 'ducks' as a sign of local friendliness.

Teaching tip: This is very specific to Northern and Midland English dialects; learners should recognize it but may sound out of place using it themselves elsewhere.

### 4. sailor trousers

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

lightweight trousers made of a strong cotton fabric, often worn by sailors.

For teachers: trousers made of duck cloth, a heavy-duty cotton fabric, traditionally part of a naval uniform for warm climates.

- The old sailor was dressed in his white ducks and a simple blue shirt.
- Historical naval records indicate that the crew were issued white ducks to ensure comfort while serving in the tropical heat of the Caribbean.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form when referring to the garment.

## Examples

- The ducks are swimming in the park pond.
- We took some old bread to the lake to feed the ducks and their ducklings.
- While many people enjoy watching ducks at the local pond, conservationists warn that feeding them processed bread can lead to nutritional deficiencies and poor water quality.

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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.