# balk

> English word · Noun · IPA /bɔːk/ · frequency rank #40,576

## Definitions
1. An uncultivated ridge formed in the open field system, caused by the action of ploughing.
2. The wall of earth at the edge of an excavation.
3. Beam, crossbeam; squared timber; a tie beam of a house, stretching from wall to wall, especially when laid so as to form a loft, "the balks".
4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
5. A sudden and obstinate stop.
6. An omission.
7. A deceptive motion.
8. A deceptive motion.
9. The area of the table lying behind the line from which the cue ball is initially shot, and from which a ball in hand must be played.
10. The area of the table lying behind the baulk line.
11. The rope by which fishing nets are fastened together.

## Etymology
From Middle English balke, from Old English balca, either from or influenced by Old Norse bálkr (“partition, ridge of land”), from Proto-Germanic *balkô. Cognate with Dutch balk (“balk”), German Balken (“balk”), Italian balcone (“balcony”).

## Easily confused with
- **BL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bl)
- **bar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bar)
- **bay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bay)
- **ban** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-ban)
- **bat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bat)
- **bam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bam)
- **bel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bel)
- **BLM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-blm)
- **Bas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bas)
- **bao** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bao)
- **bbl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bbl)
- **bla** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bla)
- **bok** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bok)
- **bol** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bol)
- **baz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-baz)
- **bap** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bap)
- **BLS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bls)
- **BLE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-ble)
- **bly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bly)
- **Bau** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balk-vs-bau)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ablk`, `bakl`, `balkk`, `ballk`, `bbalk`, `blak`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/balk