noun
Common
hawk
HAWK
Hawk (noun) means a medium-sized bird of prey that hunts other animals from the air. Example: “A hawk circled slowly above the field, watching for movement.”
noun
1
A medium-sized bird of prey that hunts other animals from the air.
"A hawk circled slowly above the field, watching for movement."
"The farmer pointed to a hawk perched on the fence post."
"Hawks often nest high in tall trees away from busy roads."
2
A person who supports an aggressive or forceful stance, especially in politics or economics.
"The senator was known as a foreign-policy hawk."
"Critics called the minister a hawk because he rejected every compromise."
"Inside the committee, the hawks wanted tougher measures while the doves urged talks."
verb
1
To sell goods, especially in public, often calling out to draw attention.
"Vendors hawked souvenirs outside the stadium."
"She hawked homemade scarves from a small stall in the market."
"Men were hawking newspapers at the station, shouting the headlines."
2
To clear the throat noisily, often to bring up phlegm.
"He hawked and spat before starting his speech."
"The old man hawked loudly into his handkerchief."
"I could hear my neighbour hawking in the garden every morning."
How to use hawk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often the bird of prey; also used for someone who favours tough, aggressive action, especially in politics.
Common pairings
hawk-eyed
war hawk
hawk and dove
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Word forms
- Plural
- hawks
- Third person singular
- hawks
- Past tense
- hawked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ circled slowly above the field, watching for movement.
Etymology
From Old English hafoc, from a very old Germanic word possibly meaning "to seize" — hawks being named for how they catch their prey.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for hawk
See all rhymes for hawk →Frequently asked questions
What does “hawk” mean?
The word “hawk” means a medium-sized bird of prey that hunts other animals from the air. In plain terms, most often the bird of prey; also used for someone who favours tough, aggressive action, especially in politics.
How do you pronounce “hawk”?
“Hawk” is pronounced HAWK (/ˈhɔːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “hawk” in a sentence?
Here is “hawk” used in a sentence: “A hawk circled slowly above the field, watching for movement.”
What part of speech is “hawk”?
Depending on how it is used, “hawk” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hawk” come from?
The word “hawk” comes from Old English. From Old English hafoc, from a very old Germanic word possibly meaning "to seize" — hawks being named for how they catch their prey.
Is “hawk” a common word?
“Hawk” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hawk” have?
“Hawk” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a medium-sized bird of prey that hunts other animals from the air.
What is the difference between a hawk and an eagle?
A hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey, generally smaller than an eagle, though both hunt other animals from the air. Eagles are typically larger and more powerfully built, while hawks are more agile and often hunt smaller prey.
What does it mean to call someone a hawk in politics?
In politics or economics, a hawk is a person who supports an aggressive or forceful stance, such as favoring military action or tighter monetary policy. This figurative use contrasts with a "dove," who favors a more peaceful or cautious approach.
What is the difference between to hawk goods and to hawk (clear the throat)?
To hawk goods means to sell them, especially in public, often while calling out to attract buyers. To hawk, in the other sense, means to clear the throat noisily, often to bring up phlegm — an unrelated meaning that happens to share the same word.
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