beak
gb/bˈik/ us/bˈik/
B1
English
~ 9300
csőr, bíró, igazgató, tanár, kokain, kokó
NOUN
B1
1
csőr
A2
Usage pattern:
the beak of [a bird]
The parrot cracked the nut open with its strong beak.
Seabirds often have long, narrow beaks for catching fish.
The hawk’s sharp beak tore at its prey.
Flamingos use their unusual beaks to filter food from the water.
The scientist measured the length of the finch’s beak for her study.
Learner examples
The bird held a worm in its beak.
That duck has a very wide beak.
The eagle uses its beak to tear meat.
The chicken pecked the ground with its beak.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "beak" with "mouth" for people or other animals. Use "beak" mainly for birds (and some other animals in scientific contexts), and use "mouth" for people and most animals in everyday speech.
Meaning
hard mouth part of a bird
Collocations
sharp beak
|curved beak
|hooked beak
|long beak
|peck with its beak
|beak and claws
Synonyms
bill (Very close in meaning, especially for birds like ducks and geese; slightly more common for water birds.)
Themes
animals
|nature
|science
Definition
The hard, pointed mouth of a bird that it uses to eat and do other things.
The hard, usually pointed external mouth part of a bird, used for eating, grooming, and other activities.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
2
csőr
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a [adjective] beak
He’s a great actor, but you can’t miss that beak of his.
Nagyszerű színész, de azt a csőrt nem lehet nem észrevenni.
One punch on the nose and his beak started bleeding.
Egy ütés az orrára, és már vérzett is a csőre.
She joked that her dad’s beak enters a room before the rest of him.
The cartoon drew the politician with an exaggerated beak to make him look silly.
Boxers often end up with a crooked beak after years in the ring.
Learner examples
He has a big beak, but he doesn’t mind.
Nagy csőre van, de őt ez nem zavarja.
She made fun of his beak, and he felt bad.
Kicsúfolta a csőre miatt, és ez rosszul esett neki.
I broke my beak in a football game.
He touched his beak and smiled in the mirror.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "beak" for any normal nose. In everyday English, "beak" for a nose is informal and often suggests the nose is big, hooked, or funny-looking. For a normal or polite description, use "nose".
Meaning
large or hooked human nose
Collocations
big beak
|hooked beak
|break his beak
|a right beak on him
|got a beak on her
Synonyms
nose (General and neutral word; "beak" is informal and often suggests the nose is big or oddly shaped.)
|
schnoz (Very informal and humorous word for a big nose, mainly in American English.)
Themes
body
|appearance
|informal
Definition
A big or strong-shaped human nose, said in an informal or a bit rude way.
A large, prominent, or hooked human nose, described in a humorous or slightly rude way.
NOUN
B2
3
csőr
B1
Usage pattern:
the beak of [an animal/thing]
The octopus uses its sharp beak to bite through shells.
A polip az éles csőrével harapja át a kagylók héját.
The researcher examined the turtle’s beak for signs of damage.
A kutató megvizsgálta a teknős csőrét, nincs-e rajta sérülés.
This old jug has a small beak for pouring oil.
Parrotfish have strong beaks that can bite pieces off coral.
The tool has a narrow metal beak for gripping tiny wires.
Learner examples
A squid has a beak inside its mouth.
A tintahalnak csőre van a szájában.
The turtle’s beak helps it cut food.
A teknős csőre segít neki feldarabolni a táplálékot.
This pot has a small beak for the water.
The fish uses its beak to break the hard shell.
Common mistake:
Learners may think only birds have beaks. In science and technical writing, some other animals (like turtles and squids) are also said to have beaks, and certain object parts can also be called beaks if they stick out in a similar shape.
Meaning
beak-like part of animal or object
Collocations
squid’s beak
|turtle’s beak
|parrotfish beak
|the beak of the jug
|metal beak
Synonyms
mouthpart (More technical and general; used especially in scientific descriptions of animals.)
|
spout (Used for the pouring part of containers; refers only to objects, not animals.)
Themes
science
|animals
|objects
|technology
Definition
A hard, pointed mouth of some animals that are not birds, or a narrow part of an object that sticks out like a bird’s beak.
A hard, pointed mouth part of some animals other than birds, such as turtles or squids, or a similar narrow projecting part on an object, such as a jug or tool.
NOUN
C1
SLANG
4
Usage pattern:
[someone] goes before the beak
The boys were sure they’d be sent up to the beak after being caught smoking behind the chapel.
A fiúk biztosak voltak benne, hogy az igazgató elé kerülnek, miután rajtakapták őket dohányzás közben a kápolna mögött.
He dreaded facing the beak on Monday morning after missing so many classes.
Rettegett attól, hogy hétfő reggel szembe kell néznie az igazgatóval, miután annyi órát kihagyott.
Old school stories are full of strict beaks in black gowns.
The gossip was that the beak would be especially hard on anyone caught cheating.
He muttered that the beak had always had it in for him.
Learner examples
In the book, the students are scared of the beak.
A könyvben a diákok félnek az igazgatótól.
He was called to see the beak after the fight.
A verekedés után behívták az igazgatóhoz.
They said the beak was very strict.
The beak gave him extra work as a punishment.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this slang is common everywhere in English. In fact, "beak" for a teacher or judge is mainly old-fashioned British school or legal slang and is rare in everyday modern conversation.
Meaning
British slang for teacher or judge
Collocations
faced the beak
|before the beak
|sent up to the beak
|tell the beak
Synonyms
teacher (Neutral and general; "beak" is slang and mainly used in some British school contexts.)
|
judge (Neutral and general; "beak" is informal, slightly humorous or disrespectful.)
Themes
education
|law
|slang
Definition
(British slang) A teacher at a school, or a judge in a court.
In British slang, a teacher, especially at a private school, or a judge or magistrate.
NOUN
C2
SLANG
5
Usage pattern:
[someone] is on the beak
The tabloid claimed the singer had been on the beak during the whole tour.
A bulvárlap azt állította, hogy az énekes az egész turné alatt kokózott.
He bragged about spending half his wages on beak every weekend.
Azzal hencegett, hogy minden hétvégén a fizetése felét kokóra költi.
They were arrested trying to smuggle beak through the airport.
The documentary showed how easy it was to buy beak in some nightclubs.
She said she’d been off the beak for six months and wanted a fresh start.
Learner examples
He was arrested for selling beak in the club.
Letartóztatták, mert kokaint árult a klubban.
She said her friend was on the beak again.
Azt mondta, hogy a barátja megint kokainozik.
The movie shows people taking beak at a party.
He wants to stop using beak because it is hurting his life.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realise that this meaning is slang and linked to illegal drugs. It should not be used in polite or formal situations, and talking about drugs can be sensitive or dangerous in many contexts.
Meaning
slang term for cocaine
Collocations
on the beak
|rack up some beak
|buy some beak
|sniff beak
Synonyms
coke (Very common slang for cocaine; "beak" is less common and more regional.)
|
blow (Informal American slang for cocaine; "beak" is more British/Australasian and less frequent.)
Antonyms
sober (Describes a state of not using drugs or alcohol, contrasting with using substances like cocaine.)
Themes
drugs
|slang
|health
|law
Definition
(Slang) A word for cocaine, an illegal white powder drug that makes people feel very awake and excited.
Slang for cocaine, especially in some British and Australian usage.
Grammar
Dictionary form
beak
IPA
GB/bˈik/
US/bˈik/
Syllables & stress
beak (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (beak)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: beak
- Plural: beaks
Word family
Forms
beaks
noun
Related words
beaked
adjective
bill
noun A2
Advanced or less common
beaky
adjective
Expressions
keep your beak out (of something)
1/kˈip jˈʊɹ bˈik ˈaʊt əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
idiom
informal
stay out of others’ business
To not get involved in something that is not your business.
Examples
- Keep your beak out of my personal life.
- She told her neighbour to keep his beak out of their family problems.
- If you can’t keep your beak out of office gossip, you’ll make enemies.
open your beak
1/ˈoʊpən jˈʊɹ bˈik/
idiom
informal
start talking, often to complain
To start speaking, often to complain or say something negative.
Examples
- He finally opened his beak and told the boss what everyone was thinking.
- Don’t open your beak about the noise; it will stop soon.
- The kids opened their beaks as soon as we said it was bedtime.
shut your beak
1/ʃˈʌt jˈʊɹ bˈik/
idiom
informal
rudely tell someone to be quiet
To tell someone in a rude way to stop talking.
Examples
- Just shut your beak and let me think for a minute.
- He told his brother to shut his beak during the movie.
- If you don’t shut your beak, we’ll get thrown out of the library.
stick your beak in
1/stˈɪk jˈʊɹ bˈik ˈɪn/
idiom
informal
meddle in others’ affairs
To get involved in other people’s private business when they do not want you to.
Examples
- She’s always trying to stick her beak in other people’s relationships.
- I wish my parents would stop sticking their beaks in and let me decide.
- He has a habit of sticking his beak in at work meetings he wasn’t even invited to.
wet one's beak
1/wˈɛt wˈʌnz bˈik/
idiom
slang
take a cut of money
To take a small share of money from a deal, often in a secret or not honest way.
Examples
- The local official wanted to wet his beak before approving the contract.
- Everyone along the chain tries to wet their beak, so the final price doubles.
- He said he didn’t mind helping as long as he could wet his beak a little.