Ask Difference

Stag vs. Buck — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 21, 2023
A stag is a male deer, specifically of the red deer species, often mature and with large antlers. A buck is a male deer or antelope, generally across multiple species, and can be young or mature.

Difference Between Stag and Buck

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Key Differences

The term "stag" is more exclusive and generally refers to red deer, although it can sometimes be used for other deer species. The term "buck" is more inclusive, applying to males in species such as white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, mule deer, and even antelopes.
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Sep 21, 2023
In hunting terminology, a stag is often sought after for its majestic antlers, which can be a symbol of the animal's age and vitality. A buck may also be prized in hunting, but the term can include younger males that have not yet developed large antlers.
Fiza Rafique
Sep 21, 2023
A stag is a term often used to describe a mature male red deer, particularly one that has reached sexual maturity and has developed large, branching antlers. A buck, in contrast, is a term broadly used for the male of several species of deer and antelope, regardless of age or size of antlers.
Fiza Rafique
Sep 21, 2023
The usage of "stag" and "buck" can also vary by region. For example, in Europe, the term "stag" is more commonly used, while in North America, "buck" is the prevalent term. Both words, however, are universally understood among those familiar with deer species.
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Sep 21, 2023

Comparison Chart

Species

Primarily red deer
Multiple species
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Maturity

Often mature
Can be young or mature
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Antlers

Usually large, branching
Varies widely
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Usage

More common in Europe
More common in North America
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Hunting

Prized for large antlers
Prized but may have smaller antlers
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Definitions

Stag

A male red deer.
The stag stood majestically in the clearing.
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Buck

Commonly used in North American terminology.
American hunters often use the term buck.
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Sep 21, 2023

Stag

A mature male deer with large antlers.
The hunters were searching for a stag to mount on their wall.
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Sep 21, 2023

Buck

A male deer.
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May 25, 2018

Stag

A term commonly used in Europe for male deer.
The European hunters referred to the animal as a stag.
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Sep 21, 2023

Buck

The male of various other mammals, such as antelopes, kangaroos, mice, or rabbits.
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May 25, 2018

Stag

A term often used in hunting to describe a prized male deer.
He was thrilled to have finally caught a stag.
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Sep 21, 2023

Buck

Antelope considered as a group
A herd of buck.
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May 25, 2018

Stag

The adult male of various deer, especially the red deer.
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Buck

A robust or high-spirited young man.
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Stag

An animal, especially a pig, castrated after reaching sexual maturity.
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Buck

A fop.
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Stag

A person who attends a social gathering unaccompanied by a partner, especially a man who is unaccompanied by a woman.
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Buck

(Offensive) A Native American or black man.
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Stag

A social gathering for men only.
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Buck

An act or instance of bucking
A horse that unseated its rider on the first buck.
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Stag

Of or for men only
A stag party.
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Buck

Buckskin.
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Stag

Pornographic
Stag films.
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Buck

Bucks Buckskin breeches or shoes.
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Stag

Unaccompanied
Went to the dance stag.
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Buck

A sawhorse or sawbuck.
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Stag

To attend a social gathering unaccompanied by a partner. Used especially of men.
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Buck

A leather-covered frame used for gymnastic vaulting.
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Stag

(countable) An adult male deer.
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Buck

(Informal) A dollar.
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Stag

(countable) A colt, or filly.
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Buck

(Informal) An amount of money
Working overtime to make an extra buck.
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Stag

A romping girl; a tomboy.
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Buck

A large round amount of currency, especially a hundred dollars.
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Stag

(countable) An improperly or late castrated bull or ram – also called a bull seg (see note under ox).
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Buck

A hundred of some other units, especially miles per hour or pounds
Was doing a buck twenty out on the Interstate.
A boxer weighing in at a buck fifty.
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Stag

An outside irregular dealer in stocks, who is not a member of the exchange.
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Buck

(Games) A counter or marker formerly passed from one poker player to another to indicate an obligation, especially one's turn to deal.
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May 25, 2018

Stag

One who applies for the allotment of shares in new projects, with a view to sell immediately at a premium, and not to hold the stock.
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Buck

(Informal) Obligation to account for something; responsibility
Tried to pass the buck for the failure to his boss.
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Stag

An unmarried man; a bachelor; a man not accompanying a woman at a social event.
A stag dance; a stag party; a stag bar
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Buck

To leap upward while arching the back
The horse bucked in fright.
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Stag

(countable) A social event for men held in honor of a groom on the eve of his wedding, attended by male friends of the groom; sometimes a fundraiser.
The stag will be held in the hotel's ballroom.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To charge with the head lowered; butt.
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Stag

Guard duty.
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Buck

To make sudden jerky movements; jolt
The motor bucked and lurched before it finally ran smoothly.
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Stag

(countable) A stag beetle (family Lucanidae).
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Buck

To resist stubbornly and obstinately; balk.
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Stag

(countable) The Eurasian wren, Troglodytes troglodytes.
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Buck

(Informal) To strive with determination
Bucking for a promotion.
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Stag

To act as a "stag", an irregular dealer in stocks.
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Buck

To throw or toss by bucking
Buck off a rider.
Bucked the packsaddle off its back.
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May 25, 2018

Stag

(transitive) To watch; to dog, or keep track of.
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Buck

To oppose directly and stubbornly; go against
“Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the country, is bucking the trend” (American Demographics).
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May 25, 2018

Stag

Of a man, attending a formal social function without a date.
My brother went stag to prom because he couldn't find a date.
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Buck

(Football) To charge into (an opponent's line) carrying the ball.
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Stag

The adult male of the red deer (Cervus elaphus), a large European species closely related to the American elk, or wapiti.
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Buck

To butt against with the head.
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Stag

A colt, or filly; also, a romping girl.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To pass (a task or duty) to another, especially so as to avoid responsibility
"We will see the stifling of initiative and the increased bucking of decisions to the top" (Winston Lord).
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May 25, 2018

Stag

A castrated bull; - called also bull stag, and bull seg. See the Note under Ox.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

Of the lowest rank in a specified military category
A buck private.
A buck sergeant.
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Stag

An outside irregular dealer in stocks, who is not a member of the exchange.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

A male deer, antelope, sheep, goat, rabbit, hare, and sometimes the male of other animals such as the hamster, ferret and shad.
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May 25, 2018

Stag

The European wren.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

(US) An uncastrated sheep, a ram.
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May 25, 2018

Stag

To act as a "stag," or irregular dealer in stocks.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

A young buck; an adventurous, impetuous, dashing, or high-spirited young man.
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May 25, 2018

Stag

To watch; to dog, or keep track of.
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Buck

A fop or dandy.
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Stag

Male red deer
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Buck

A black or Native American man.
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Stag

Adult male deer
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Buck

A unit of a particular currency
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May 25, 2018

Stag

Attend a dance or a party without a female companion
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Buck

A dollar (one hundred cents).
Can I borrow five bucks?
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May 25, 2018

Stag

Give away information about somebody;
He told on his classmate who had cheated on the exam
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Buck

A rand (currency unit).
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Stag

Watch, observe, or inquire secretly
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Buck

A euro.
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May 25, 2018

Stag

A term sometimes applied to other deer species' mature males.
Although rare, the term stag can refer to males of other deer species.
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Sep 21, 2023

Buck

Money.
Corporations will do anything to make a buck.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

(finance) One million dollars.
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Buck

One hundred.
The police caught me driving a buck forty [140 miles per hour] on the freeway.
That skinny guy? C'mon, he can't weigh more than a buck and a quarter [125 pounds].
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May 25, 2018

Buck

Clipping of buckshot
He loaded the shotgun with two rounds of double-ought buck.
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Buck

An implement the body of which is likened to a male sheep’s body due maintaining a stiff-legged position as if by stubbornness.
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Buck

The body of a post mill, particularly in East Anglia. See Wikipedia:Windmill machinery.
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Buck

A frame on which firewood is sawed; a sawhorse; a sawbuck.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

A leather-covered frame used for gymnastic vaulting.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

A wood or metal frame used by automotive customizers and restorers to assist in the shaping of sheet metal bodywork.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

(dated) An object of various types, placed on a table to indicate turn or status; such as a brass object, placed in rotation on a US Navy wardroom dining table to indicate which officer is to be served first, or an item passed around a poker table indicating the dealer or placed in the pot to remind the winner of some privilege or obligation when his or her turn to deal next comes.
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Buck

Synonym of buck dance.
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Buck

Synonym of mule
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Buck

A kind of large marble in children's games.
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Buck

(Scotland) The beech tree.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

Lye or suds in which cloth is soaked in the operation of bleaching, or in which clothes are washed.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

The cloth or clothes soaked or washed.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

(intransitive) To copulate, as bucks and does.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

(intransitive) To bend; buckle.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To leap upward arching its back, coming down with head low and forelegs stiff, forcefully kicking its hind legs upward, often in an attempt to dislodge or throw a rider or pack.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To throw (a rider or pack) by bucking.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To subject to a mode of punishment which consists of tying the wrists together, passing the arms over the bent knees, and putting a stick across the arms and in the angle formed by the knees.
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Buck

To resist obstinately; oppose or object strongly.
The vice president bucked at the board's latest solution.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To move or operate in a sharp, jerking, or uneven manner.
The motor bucked and sputtered before dying completely.
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Buck

To overcome or shed (e.g., an impediment or expectation), in pursuit of a goal; to force a way through despite (an obstacle); to resist or proceed against.
The plane bucked a strong headwind.
Our managers have to learn to buck the trend and do the right thing for their employees.
John is really bucking the odds on that risky business venture. He's doing quite well.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

(riveting) To press a reinforcing device (bucking bar) against (the force of a rivet) in order to absorb vibration and increase expansion. See Wikipedia: Rivet:Installation.
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Buck

(forestry) To saw a felled tree into shorter lengths, as for firewood.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

(electronics) To output a voltage that is lower than the input voltage. See Wikipedia: Buck converter
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To soak, steep or boil in lye or suds, as part of the bleaching process.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To wash (clothes) in lye or suds, or, in later usage, by beating them on stones in running water.
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Buck

(mining) To break up or pulverize, as ores.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

Lye or suds in which cloth is soaked in the operation of bleaching, or in which clothes are washed.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

The cloth or clothes soaked or washed.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

The male of deer, especially fallow deer and antelopes, or of goats, sheep, hares, and rabbits.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

A gay, dashing young fellow; a fop; a dandy.
The leading bucks of the day.
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Buck

A male Indian or negro.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

A frame on which firewood is sawed; a sawhorse; a sawbuck.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

The beech tree.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To soak, steep, or boil, in lye or suds; - a process in bleaching.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To wash (clothes) in lye or suds, or, in later usage, by beating them on stones in running water.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To break up or pulverize, as ores.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To copulate, as bucks and does.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To spring with quick plunging leaps, descending with the fore legs rigid and the head held as low down as possible; - said of a vicious horse or mule.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

To subject to a mode of punishment which consists in tying the wrists together, passing the arms over the bent knees, and putting a stick across the arms and in the angle formed by the knees.
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May 25, 2018

Buck

A gymnastic horse without pommels and with one end elongated; used lengthwise for vaulting
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Buck

A piece of paper money worth one dollar
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May 25, 2018

Buck

United States author whose novels drew on her experiences as a missionary in China (1892-1973)
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Buck

A framework for holding wood that is being sawed
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Buck

Mature male of various mammals (especially deer or antelope)
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Buck

To strive with determination;
John is bucking for a promotion
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Buck

Resist;
Buck the trend
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May 25, 2018

Buck

Move quickly and violently;
The car tore down the street
He came charging into my office
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May 25, 2018

Buck

Jump vertically, with legs stiff and back arched;
The yung filly bucked
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Buck

Of the lowest rank in a category;
A buck private
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Buck

A term used for the males of various deer species.
He saw a buck among the herd of white-tailed deer.
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Buck

Can refer to a male antelope.
A buck stood alert on the African savanna.
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Buck

Can refer to both young and mature male deer.
The young buck was just starting to grow his antlers.
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Sep 21, 2023

FAQs

What is a buck?

A buck is a male deer or antelope of any age.
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Sep 21, 2023

Is the term 'stag' specific to certain species?

It's primarily used for red deer but can sometimes extend to other deer species.
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Sep 21, 2023

Can a buck be young?

Yes, a buck can be young or mature.
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Sep 21, 2023

Why are stags prized in hunting?

Stags are often prized for their large, branching antlers.
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Sep 21, 2023

Why are bucks prized in hunting?

Bucks are prized, but the size of the antlers can vary widely.
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Sep 21, 2023

Is a stag the same as a buck?

No, 'stag' is often a mature male red deer, while 'buck' can refer to any male deer or antelope.
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Sep 21, 2023

Is a stag always mature?

A stag is often mature and has large antlers.
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Sep 21, 2023

Is the term 'buck' commonly used in North America?

Yes, the term 'buck' is more commonly used in North America.
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Sep 21, 2023

What is a stag?

A stag is a mature male red deer with large antlers.
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Sep 21, 2023

Do stags and bucks both have antlers?

Yes, but the size and complexity can differ.
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Sep 21, 2023

Can the term 'stag' be used outside of red deer?

It's less common but can sometimes refer to other deer species.
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Sep 21, 2023

Is the term 'stag' commonly used in Europe?

Yes, the term 'stag' is more commonly used in Europe.
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Sep 21, 2023

Can the term 'buck' be used for antelopes?

Yes, 'buck' can refer to a male antelope.
Fiza Rafique
Sep 21, 2023

Is the term 'buck' specific to certain species?

No, it is used for males of various deer and antelope species.
Fiza Rafique
Sep 21, 2023

What's the primary difference between a stag and a buck?

The primary difference is the species and maturity; 'stag' often refers to a mature male red deer, while 'buck' can refer to any male deer or antelope.
Fiza Rafique
Sep 21, 2023

Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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