peck
23 synonyms for peck, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — For a bird to strike or pick at something repeatedly with its beak.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
For a bird to strike or pick at something repeatedly with its beak.
“The hens pecked at the scattered corn.”
How to use peck
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
peck on the cheek
peck at food
a peck of trouble
Etymology
From Middle English pecken, a variant of picken ("to pick" with a pointed tool) — related to "pick".
Full origin of peck →Frequently asked questions
What does “peck” mean?
The word “peck” means for a bird to strike or pick at something repeatedly with its beak. In plain terms, a bird's pecking motion, a quick light kiss, or an old unit of dry measure.
How do you pronounce “peck”?
“Peck” is pronounced pehk (/pɛk/ in IPA).
How do you use “peck” in a sentence?
Here is “peck” used in a sentence: “The hens pecked at the scattered corn.”
What part of speech is “peck”?
Depending on how it is used, “peck” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “peck” come from?
The word “peck” comes from Middle English. From Middle English pecken, a variant of picken ("to pick" with a pointed tool) — related to "pick".
Is “peck” a common word?
“Peck” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “peck” have?
“Peck” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: for a bird to strike or pick at something repeatedly with its beak.
