beak
12 synonyms for beak, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The hard, pointed structure at the front of a bird's face, used for eating, grooming, and carrying things.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use beak
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a sharp beak
up before the beak
The "nose" and "magistrate" senses are informal, mainly British.
Etymology
From Old French bec, ultimately from a Gaulish Celtic word meaning "pointed stick" or "peg."
Full origin of beak →Frequently asked questions
What does “beak” mean?
The word “beak” means the hard, pointed structure at the front of a bird's face, used for eating, grooming, and carrying things. In plain terms, a bird's pointed mouthpart, or (informally) a big nose or a magistrate.
How do you pronounce “beak”?
“Beak” is pronounced beek (/biːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “beak” in a sentence?
Here is “beak” used in a sentence: “The toucan used its enormous beak to reach the fruit.”
What part of speech is “beak”?
“Beak” is a noun.
Where does the word “beak” come from?
The word “beak” comes from Old French. From Old French bec, ultimately from a Gaulish Celtic word meaning "pointed stick" or "peg.".
Is “beak” a common word?
“Beak” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “beak” have?
“Beak” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the hard, pointed structure at the front of a bird's face, used for eating, grooming, and carrying things.
