auk
1 synonym for auk, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Any of several species of Arctic seabirds belonging to the family Alcidae.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
alcid
How to use auk
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a colony of auks
auk species
arctic auks
diving auks
It is a plain, everyday term in ornithology and nature writing rather than a technical one.
Etymology
The word comes from Icelandic álka, which goes back to Old Norse alka. This in turn traces to a Proto-Germanic root, and further back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning a kind of bird. It is related to similar words for the bird in Swedish, Norwegian and Danish.
Full origin of auk →Frequently asked questions
What is an auk?
An auk is one of several species of Arctic seabird in the family Alcidae, found on northern coasts and cliffs.
Where does the word auk come from?
It comes from Icelandic álka, from Old Norse alka, ultimately from an old root word for a type of bird.
Is auk the same as alcid?
Yes, alcid is used as another name for the same group of birds.
