croak

Everyday

1. (verb) When a frog or crow croaks, it makes a deep, rough sound. tree →
2. (verb) When a person croaks, they speak in a deep, rough voice, for example because of a sore throat. tree →
3. (noun) A croak is that rough sound. tree →
4. (slang) To croak means to die; it is a joking, not polite, way to say it. tree →

In the lessons

In nature and science lessons frogs and toads croak, especially to attract mates. In stories a character with a cold croaks. As slang it appears in cartoons and jokey talk about dying; it is not respectful. Phrases: croak out (say with a rough voice).

Examples

• The frogs croaked loudly all night by the pond. tree →
• «I've lost my voice,» she croaked. tree →
• A crow croaked from the top of the tree. tree →
• We heard a croak from under the lily pad. tree →
• He could only croak out a whisper after the football match. tree →
• (slang) In the cartoon, the villain says, «If I don't get water, I'll croak!» tree →
• Male frogs croak to call females. tree →
• Then some frogs began to croak in the marsh. tree →

Note

Regular verb: croaked. The slang sense «to die» is rude and jokey — never use it about someone who has really died; say «passed away» or «died». Not related to «crook» or «crock».