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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

duke

/duk/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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What does duke mean?

noun

  1. The male ruler of a duchy (female equivalent: duchess).
  2. The sovereign of a small state.
  3. A high title of nobility; the male holder of a dukedom.
More meanings (14)

noun

  1. A grand duke.
  2. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genera Bassarona and Dophla.
  3. (slang) A fist.
  4. The title of a duke.

verb

  1. (informal) To hit or beat with the fists.
  2. (slang) To give cash to; to give a tip to.
  3. To perform the duties of, or rule over as, a duke.

proper noun

  1. A male given name from English; mostly US and rather rare.
  2. A surname originating as an occupation for service in the household of a duke, or from a nickname.
  3. (informal) A male nickname.
  4. (informal) The American actor John Wayne.
  5. (informal) Ellipsis of Duke University, a private university in Durham, North Carolina, USA.
  6. An unincorporated community in Phelps County, Missouri, United States.
  7. A township in Harnett County, North Carolina, United States.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/duk/

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Some of the fences had been whitewashed, some time or another, but the duke said it was in Clumbus’s time, like enough.
Mark TwainAdventures of Huckleberry FinnProject Gutenberg ebook #76
The old lady, indeed, did not hesitate to express regret that the duke was not on the throne, instead of his brother.
Anthony HopeThe prisoner of ZendaProject Gutenberg ebook #95
More book examples (3)
But, if ever the Duke return, as our prayers are he may, let me desire you to make your answer before him.
William ShakespeareThe Complete Works of William ShakespeareProject Gutenberg ebook #100
She kept her children in the schools of the duke and duchess until they had completed the entire course open to them.
Anna Howard Shaw; Elizabeth Garver JordanThe Story of a PioneerProject Gutenberg ebook #354
The Duke was obliged to flee before the French soldiers, who forced their way into the town and took possession of it.
Amy SteedmanKnights of Art: Stories of the Italian PaintersProject Gutenberg ebook #529