beak
Beak (noun) means the hard, pointed structure at the front of a bird's face, used for eating, grooming, and carrying things. Example: “The toucan used its enormous beak to reach the fruit.”
How to use beak
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bird's pointed mouthpart, or (informally) a big nose or a magistrate.
The "nose" and "magistrate" senses are informal, mainly British.
Word forms
beaked past tense, beaks plural, beaks plural, beaks singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The toucan used its enormous _____ to reach the fruit.
Etymology
From Old French bec, ultimately from a Gaulish Celtic word meaning "pointed stick" or "peg."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for beak
See all rhymes for 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.
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