French word

canard

Pronunciation

IPA/kanaʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounduck

Example

Le canard nage sur l'eau.

The duck is swimming in the water.

Illustration for canard (duck)

More examples

On a vu un canard sauvage près du lac.

We saw a wild duck near the lake.

Core concept

A duck moving along calmly, like a false story traveling through conversation while appearing plausible.

Common phrases

  • canard sauvage

    wild duck

  • canard en plastique

    plastic duck

Similar words

mensonge: A deliberate statement or act that presents something untrue as fact.
canular: A made-up story or trick designed to deceive or amuse.
rumeur: Unverified information passed from person to person.
infox: Deliberately false information spread especially online or through social media.

Definition in French

Information fausse ou inventée diffusée comme une nouvelle, employée au sens figuré pour désigner un canular ou une rumeur.

Word origin

The noun is inherited from Old French canart; the figurative sense developed later when the bird's name was applied to a fabricated report.

Usage tips

  • In its figurative sense, un canard usually sounds dismissive or skeptical rather than neutral for an unverified report.

Other meanings

  • hoaxnoun

Word lists with this word