How Do You Spell QUACK?

Pronunciation: [kwˈak] (IPA)

The word "quack" is spelled using the phonetic symbols /kwæk/. This word is often used to describe a person who pretends to have medical knowledge and skills but has no real qualifications. The "qu" in "quack" is pronounced like /kw/ and the "a" is pronounced like /æ/. The final "ck" sound is spelled with two letters to indicate a short, sharp burst of sound. Overall, "quack" is a unique and interesting word with an unusual spelling.

QUACK Meaning and Definition

  1. Quack is a term that can be defined as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to someone who dishonestly claims to have knowledge or skills in a particular field, especially in medicine. These individuals are often considered fraudulent or unqualified, attempting to deceive others through false claims and misleading practices. A quack may present themselves as a medical practitioner with "miracle cures" or alternative remedies that lack scientific evidence or medical approval.

    When used as a verb, quack means to make the sound or cry of a duck, characterized by a distinctly harsh and nasal tone. This verb definition can also be extended metaphorically to refer to someone who speaks in a manner that is meaningless, exaggerated, or deceptive. It implies that the person is making empty or false promises, just like the noise made by a duck.

    The term "quack" can be traced back to the Dutch word "kwakzalver," which combines "kwakken" (to boast or quack) and "salver" (someone who rubs ointment). In historical medical contexts, quacks were also known as "snake oil salesmen" due to their promotion of dubious remedies, often claiming them to be a panacea for all ailments.

    Overall, "quack" is a term used to describe someone who dishonestly portrays themselves as knowledgeable or skilled, particularly in medicine, with the intention of fooling or defrauding others through false claims or misleading practices.

  2. A charlatan; one who pretends to a knowledge of medicine which he does not possess.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • The cry of a duck.
    • To cry like a duck.
    • An ignorant pretender to medicine; a boastful pretender to skill or knowledge not possessed; an empiric.
    • Falsely pretending to cure diseases; pert. to or tainted with quackery.
    • To act or practise as a quack.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for QUACK *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for QUACK

Etymology of QUACK

The word "quack" originated in the late 17th century and is derived from the Dutch word "quacksalver". "Quacksalver" is a combination of two words, "quack" and "salver".

The term "quack" in Dutch initially meant "to boast" or "to brag" and later acquired the meaning of a fraudulent or incompetent doctor or seller of medicine. On the other hand, "salver" referred to an ointment or healing substance. Therefore, "quacksalver" denoted a person who falsely boasted or promoted their dubious remedies or medical treatments.

Over time, the term "quacksalver" made its way into English and was eventually shortened to "quack". It transformed into a general noun that describes a person who pretends to have medical expertise or peddles ineffective or fraudulent remedies.

Idioms with the word QUACK

  • If it looks like a duck and walks/quack/flies etc. like a duck, it is a duck. The idiom "If it looks like a duck and walks/quacks/flies, etc. like a duck, it is a duck" means that if something appears to be a certain way and behaves or possesses the characteristics associated with that thing, then it can be assumed or categorized as such without any doubt or need for further examination. It emphasizes the idea that appearances, actions, or observable qualities often provide accurate indications or evidence of something's true nature or identity.

Similar spelling words for QUACK

Plural form of QUACK is QUACKS

Conjugate verb Quack

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have quacked
you would have quacked
he/she/it would have quacked
we would have quacked
they would have quacked
I would have quack
you would have quack
he/she/it would have quack
we would have quack
they would have quack

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been quacking
you would have been quacking
he/she/it would have been quacking
we would have been quacking
they would have been quacking

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would quack
you would quack
he/she/it would quack
we would quack
they would quack

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be quacking
you would be quacking
he/she/it would be quacking
we would be quacking
they would be quacking

FUTURE

I will quack
you will quack
he/she/it will quack
we will quack
they will quack

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be quacking
you will be quacking
he/she/it will be quacking
we will be quacking
they will be quacking

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have quacked
you will have quacked
he/she/it will have quacked
we will have quacked
they will have quacked

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been quacking
you will have been quacking
he/she/it will have been quacking
we will have been quacking
they will have been quacking

IMPERATIVE

you quack
we let´s quack

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to quack

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was quacking
you were quacking
he/she/it was quacking
we were quacking
they were quacking

PAST PARTICIPLE

quacked

PAST PERFECT

I had quacked
you had quacked
he/she/it had quacked
we had quacked
they had quacked

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been quacking
you had been quacking
he/she/it had been quacking
we had been quacking
they had been quacking

PRESENT

I quack
you quack
he/she/it quacks
we quack
they quack

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am quacking
you are quacking
he/she/it is quacking
we are quacking
they are quacking

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

quacking

PRESENT PERFECT

I have quacked
you have quacked
he/she/it has quacked
we have quacked
they have quacked

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been quacking
you have been quacking
he/she/it has been quacking
we have been quacking
they have been quacking

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it quack

SIMPLE PAST

I quacked
you quacked
he/she/it quacked
we quacked
they quacked

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: