duckling

[ˈdʌklɪŋ]

duckling Definition

a young duck.

Using duckling: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "duckling" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The mother duck led her ducklings to the pond.

  • Example

    The ducklings hatched from their eggs just yesterday.

  • Example

    The children were delighted to see the fluffy yellow ducklings at the farm.

duckling Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for duckling

  • duck chick
  • baby duck

Phrases with duckling

  • a person or thing that initially appears unattractive or unpromising but has hidden potential

    Example

    As a child, she was often teased for being the ugly duckling, but she grew up to be a successful and confident woman.

  • to learn or become proficient in something very quickly and easily

    Example

    He took to playing the guitar like a duckling to water, mastering it in just a few months.

  • to be an easy target or victim

    Example

    Without any security measures, the house was a sitting duck for burglars.

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Summary: duckling in Brief

A 'duckling' [ˈdʌklɪŋ] is a young duck. It is often seen with its mother and siblings, as in 'The mother duck led her ducklings to the pond.' The phrase 'ugly duckling' refers to someone or something that initially appears unattractive but has hidden potential, while 'to take to something like a duckling to water' means to learn or become proficient in something very quickly and easily.

How do native speakers use this expression?