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DictionarycluckHenlike sound
noun / verb

cluck

KLUK/klʌk/

A short henlike or tongue-clicking sound, or the act of making it.

The hen clucks softly as her chicks gather around her.

A domestic hen pauses over exposed grain, beak slightly open in a low, relaxed calling posture, while two chicks turn and approach her.
Etymology
cluckOld Englishutter a hen’s cry

Old English cloccian imitated the hen’s call rather than describing it through other roots. The modern verb preserves that direct connection between the word’s sound and the noise it names.

In context

DUHorseman1:00
in my method is squeeze if that doesn't work cluck if that doesn't work spank
When to Use Spurs When Riding Your Horse

More examples

  • A quiet cluck comes from the nesting box.
  • She clucked her tongue when she saw the mess.
  • He makes a soft cluck with his tongue to encourage the horse.

Forms

cluck · clucks · clucked · clucking

Similar words

click
A short, sharp sound, not necessarily made by a tongue.
cackle
A louder series of harsh hen calls, rather than one.