beck
3 synonyms for beck, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small stream or brook, especially in Northern England.
Synonyms
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.
rill
streamlet
How to use beck
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
at someone's beck and call
Etymology
The stream sense comes from Old English bæc/bece, related to Old Norse bekkr, "a stream" — still common in place names across Northern England. The "beck and call" sense comes from a separate old word meaning a summoning gesture or nod, related to "beckon."
Full origin of beck →Frequently asked questions
What does “beck” mean?
The word “beck” means a small stream or brook, especially in Northern England. In plain terms, either a small stream (regional British word) or a nod/signal calling someone over — mostly known today through the fixed phrase "at someone's beck and call.".
How do you pronounce “beck”?
“Beck” is pronounced BEHK (/ˈbɛk/ in IPA).
How do you use “beck” in a sentence?
Here is “beck” used in a sentence: “The path followed the beck down through the valley.”
What part of speech is “beck”?
“Beck” is a noun.
Where does the word “beck” come from?
The word “beck” comes from Old English.
Is “beck” a common word?
“Beck” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “beck” have?
“Beck” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small stream or brook, especially in Northern England.
What is the difference between a "beck" and a "stream"?
A "beck" is a small stream or brook, and the word is a regional term used especially in Northern England, while "stream" is the general, standard term used throughout English. Outside northern England, "beck" is rare and mostly appears in place names, such as "Troutbeck."
Is "beck" commonly used outside the idiom "beck and call"?
The gesture sense of "beck" survives almost entirely within the fixed phrase "at someone's beck and call" and is rarely used alone in modern English. The stream sense remains in active regional use, particularly in Northern England and in place names.
