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Definition of gadwall
gadwall
/ˈɡæd.wɔːl/
gad · wall
Plural:gadwalls
gadwall Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
gadwall Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A common and widely distributed dabbling duck (Mareca strepera) native to the Northern Hemisphere, characterized by the male's finely patterned gray plumage, black rear end, and comparatively subdued coloration compared to other dabbling ducks.
Example
"While birdwatching near the marsh, she carefully adjusted her binoculars to distinguish a pair of gadwalls foraging among the reeds."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for gadwallWord Origin & Etymology
Mid 16th century: of unknown origin, though it may derive from an obsolete dialect word or an imitative sound related to the duck's call.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Gadwall. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/gadwall