duckface
MediumInformal/Colloquial
Definition
Meaning
A facial expression where the lips are pushed out to form a pout, often made when taking selfies.
A stereotypical or exaggerated facial expression in photographs, particularly on social media, often used to appear cute, sexy, or playful. Can refer to the act of making this expression.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a visual and cultural concept from the era of selfies and social media. Often used in a mildly derogatory or mocking sense to describe a clichéd or overused pose. May also be used as a verb ('to duckface').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; concept and term are equally recognized.
Connotations
Both varieties perceive it as an informal, often pejorative term for a selfie pose. Possibly more frequently referenced in UK media discourse about social media trends.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties, given the global nature of internet culture.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
pull/do/make a [duckface]her/his [duckface] is annoyingstop [duckfacing]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pull a duckface”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear in marketing discussions about social media trends or influencer behaviour.
Academic
Rare; could appear in papers on digital culture, sociology, or media studies.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about photos, social media, and dating profiles.
Technical
Not applicable in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She always duckfaces in every single photo.
- I wish people would stop duckfacing for their profile pictures.
American English
- He duckfaced for the camera and immediately regretted it.
- Are you seriously duckfacing in your driver's license photo?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Look at my photo! I made a duckface.
- Her duckface is funny.
- In her latest selfie, she's pulling the classic duckface.
- Many teenagers make a duckface when they take pictures.
- The trend for duckface selfies seems to have peaked a few years ago.
- He mocked his friend's dating profile photo for its obvious duckface.
- The article analysed the duckface as a performative gesture rooted in contemporary digital narcissism.
- Despite its derision in popular media, the duckface persists as a coded expression of flirtatiousness in visual self-presentation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a duck's bill—protruding and rounded. The facial expression mimics this shape with pursed lips.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FACE IS A DUCK'S BILL (Shape/Form)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'утка-лицо' or 'утиное лицо', which would be nonsensical. Use descriptive phrases like 'выпяченные губки (в селфи)' or the borrowed term 'дакфейс' in informal contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with 'Resting Bitch Face' (RBF), which is a neutral, unintentional expression.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'duckface' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a recognized informal noun (and sometimes verb) in modern English, included in many contemporary dictionaries due to its prevalence in digital culture.
It gained widespread usage in the late 2000s and early 2010s alongside the rise of camera phones, front-facing cameras, and social media platforms like MySpace, Facebook, and Instagram.
Yes, informally. To 'duckface' means to make the duckface expression, often in a photograph (e.g., 'She always duckfaces in selfies').
While it was extremely prevalent in the early 2010s, it has since become somewhat dated and is often viewed as a cliché or joke. Current trends often favour more 'natural' or candid expressions, though the pose still appears.