Word
buck
Meanings
a male deer
a dollar (informal)
to resist or oppose something
Definition
A buck is a male deer, or an informal word for a US dollar.
“Buck” most commonly means a male deer, especially in North American English. It is also a very informal word for a dollar, used mainly in everyday speech. As a verb, “buck” can mean to resist or oppose something, or to throw someone upward with a sudden movement (as a horse might).
Examples
- I saw a buck step out of the trees and freeze when it heard us.
- She only had a few bucks left, so she skipped the expensive café.
- They tried to buck the new policy by organizing a careful, respectful campaign.
- He paid twenty bucks for the ticket without making a fuss.
Common mistake
Learners often use “bucks” in formal writing where “dollars” is more appropriate.
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