hawk
B2Neutral to formal for noun (bird, political term); informal for verb (selling, throat-clearing).
Definition
Meaning
A bird of prey with broad rounded wings and a long tail, known for keen vision and hunting small animals.
A person who advocates an aggressive or warlike policy, especially in politics; also a verb meaning to sell goods informally in public places or to clear the throat noisily.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core meaning refers to the raptor; extended meanings derive from attributes of the bird (aggression, keen sight) or its cry (verb 'to hawk' phlegm).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The political sense ('war hawk') is equally common. The verb for selling ('hawking wares') is slightly more old-fashioned/ literary in UK; 'to hawk (up phlegm)' is standard in both.
Connotations
UK: Slightly more rustic/ countryside association for the bird. US: Stronger political/militaristic association.
Frequency
Noun (bird) is medium frequency. Political sense is common in news contexts. Verb forms are lower frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
hawk something (around) (verb)hawk and spit (verb)the hawks and the doves (noun)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “watch someone like a hawk”
- “have eyes like a hawk”
- “hawks and doves”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except metaphorically for aggressive strategy ('corporate hawks').
Academic
Common in political science, history, and biology/zoology.
Everyday
Primarily for the bird; political use in news discussion.
Technical
Ornithology: specific species (e.g., Red-tailed Hawk). Politics: faction analysis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He hawked his homemade jams at the village fete.
- The old man hawked noisily into his handkerchief.
American English
- She's hawking bottled water to people stuck in traffic.
- He hawked and spat on the sidewalk before entering.
adverb
British English
- The manager watched hawkishly over the new interns.
American English
- The scout observed the valley hawkishly from the ridge.
adjective
British English
- The minister took a hawkish stance on the defence budget.
- Her hawk-eyed attention to detail saved the project.
American English
- The senator's hawkish foreign policy worried the allies.
- Security was hawk-eyed, checking every badge.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We saw a big hawk in the sky today.
- Hawks eat mice and small birds.
- The hawk circled high above, looking for food.
- In the debate, he was the hawk, arguing for stronger action.
- Journalists were watching the election results like hawks.
- Street vendors were hawking souvenirs to the tourists.
- The parliamentary hawks vehemently opposed the disarmament treaty.
- He dismissed the proposal with a hawkish disdain for compromise.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a political Hawk with sharp claws (aggressive policies) and a street vendor Hawk loudly crying 'HAWK your wares!'
Conceptual Metaphor
AGGRESSION IS A PREDATOR (hawk); VIGILANCE IS HAWK-LIKE SIGHT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not to be confused with 'сокол' (falcon) which is a different, though related, bird. 'Hawk' as verb (sell) has no direct single equivalent; translates as 'торговать вразнос'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hawk' for any large bird (e.g., eagle, vulture). Confusing 'hawk' (verb) with 'hock' (pawn).
Practice
Quiz
What does it mean to 'hawk' something?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different groups of birds of prey. Hawks generally have broader wings and are part of the Accipitridae family, while falcons (like peregrines) are in the Falconidae family and have longer, pointed wings.
Yes, when referring to vigilance ('hawk-eyed') it is positive. As a bird, it is neutral/positive. In politics, 'hawk' is descriptive but often carries a negative connotation of aggression.
A 'dove' – someone who prefers peaceful, diplomatic solutions over aggressive or military ones.
It describes a noisy, physical action. Referring to it or doing it publicly is generally considered impolite or unpleasant.