Meaning & use
rubber duckie
Last updated
UK/ˌrʌbə ˈdʌki/
US/ˌrʌbər ˈdʌki/
Meaning
nouncountableinformalchild language
A rubber duck, especially one used as a bath toy; a childish or affectionate term.
Grammar: Countable: one rubber duckie, two rubber duckies.
Patterns
- a rubber duckie
- rubber duckies
Look at the cute rubber duckie in the bathtub!
She sang a song about a rubber duckie.
The toddler refused to take a bath without his rubber duckie.
Word forms
| plural | rubber duckies |
|---|
Common combinations
- rubber duckie song
- The rubber duckie song is a favorite among preschoolers.
- squeaky rubber duckie
- The squeaky rubber duckie entertained the baby.
- bathtub rubber duckie
- He left his bathtub rubber duckie on the edge of the tub.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rubber duck
- The standard term; 'rubber duckie' is more informal and affectionate.
- duckie
- A short, childish form that can refer to any duck toy or real duckling.
Word family
- duckie noun
- A childish word for a duck or a duck-shaped toy.
Practice
Who would most likely say 'rubber duckie'?
Choose one answer.
'Rubber duckie' is informal and childlike, so it fits a young child or someone speaking to a child. The other options require a more formal register.
Make it your own
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