squawk

/skwɔːk/

//skwɔːk// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"squawk" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“squawk” is uncommon English (frequency #58,381 among 54,294 “S” headwords), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#58,381
frequency rank, English
54,294
“S” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A shrill noise, especially made by a voice or bird. If made by a bird, it typically signals discomfort or anger; a yell, scream, or call.

Key facts for squawk
PropertyValue
Headwordsquawk
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/skwɔːk/
Letters6
Frequency rank#58,381
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “squawk” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). squawk lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

squawk is uncommon English at frequency #58,381 among 54,294 “S” headwords, classed as anoun, transcribed /skwɔːk/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 6 senses are on record.

No generated misspelling entries exist for squawk in our index, a sign its spelling follows regular English conventions. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, suggesting its spelling stands apart enough that readers rarely confuse it with something else.

Etymologically, the entry records: First attested in 1821. Unknown, but probably of imitative origin (compare dialectal Italian squacco (“small-crested heron”) and English quack). The correct English form is squawk, spelled S-Q-U-A-W-K.

Definition

  1. 1
    A shrill noise, especially made by a voice or bird. If made by a bird, it typically signals discomfort or anger; a yell, scream, or call.
  2. 2
    A four-digit transponder code used by aircraft for identification or transmission of emergency signals.
  3. 3
    A complaint or objection.
  4. 4
    An issue or complaint related to aircraft maintenance.
  5. 5
    The American night heron.
  6. 6
    A warning message indicating a possible error.

Etymology

First attested in 1821. Unknown, but probably of imitative origin (compare dialectal Italian squacco (“small-crested heron”) and English quack).

This word in other languages

graznido(Español)Krächzen(Deutsch)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "squawk"?
"squawk" is spelled S-Q-U-A-W-K. The IPA pronunciation is /skwɔːk/.
What does "squawk" mean?
As a noun, "squawk" means: A shrill noise, especially made by a voice or bird. If made by a bird, it typically signals discomfort or anger; a yell, scream, or call.
How do you pronounce "squawk"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "squawk" is /skwɔːk/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "squawk"?
First attested in 1821. Unknown, but probably of imitative origin (compare dialectal Italian squacco (“small-crested heron”) and English quack). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “squawk”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is S-Q-U-A-W-K - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /skwɔːk/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Other uncommon English words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list