croak
croak Lexical Profile
croak Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To make a deep, harsh, guttural sound (especially of a frog or crow).
"Frogs began to croak along the muddy banks as soon as the rain started."
To utter or speak in a low, hoarse, or raspy voice.
"Suffering from a severe sore throat, she could barely croak a greeting to her guests."
To die (informal slang).
"My old car battery finally croaked in the middle of winter."
• noun
A deep, harsh, guttural sound, typically made by a frog or a crow, or by a person speaking with a hoarse voice.
"The quiet evening by the pond was interrupted by the loud croak of a bullfrog."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used to mean 'to die', 'croak' is informal slang and is unsuitable for polite or sympathetic contexts.
• Rhymes for croak
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English croken, derived from an Old English imitative root (*crācian) mimicking the harsh vocalizations of frogs and ravens.