Baulk vs. Balk: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 22, 2024
"Baulk" and "balk" both mean to hesitate or refuse, but "baulk" is primarily used in British English, whereas "balk" is the preferred spelling in American English.
Key Differences
"Baulk" is a term often used in British English to indicate hesitation or unwillingness to proceed. For instance, one might baulk at a challenging task or a risky decision. This spelling is less common in American English, where "balk" is used instead. "Balk," the American English variant, carries the same meaning as "baulk," implying a pause or refusal to comply. This term is frequently seen in contexts like sports, particularly baseball, where a pitcher might balk.
Both "baulk" and "balk" can be used metaphorically to describe someone stopping abruptly due to an obstacle or doubt. For example, someone might balk at the high cost of an item, just as they might baulk at an expensive purchase.
In specific contexts, such as horse riding or sports, "baulk" and "balk" describe the act of an animal or player stopping short due to hesitation. The choice between the two spellings depends largely on the region's preferred English dialect.
When writing, using "baulk" in British English or "balk" in American English ensures clarity and regional appropriateness. Writers should consider their audience and use the spelling that aligns with the readers' linguistic norms.
Despite the spelling difference, both terms are pronounced the same way and share the same root meaning. They are interchangeable in meaning but not in their regional usage, reflecting the diversity of English dialects.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
Baulk
Balk
Usage
Common in British English
Common in American English
Context
General hesitation, sports
General hesitation, baseball
Pronunciation
Same as "balk"
Same as "baulk"
Metaphorical Use
To hesitate or refuse
To hesitate or refuse
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Baulk and Balk Definitions
Baulk
To stop suddenly and refuse to go on.
The horse baulked at the fence.
Balk
To hesitate or show reluctance.
She balked at the steep hill.
Baulk
To hesitate due to fear or uncertainty.
She baulked at the idea of skydiving.
Balk
In baseball, an illegal motion by a pitcher.
The pitcher was called for a balk.
Baulk
To react with disapproval.
He baulked at the suggestion.
Balk
To stop short and refuse to go on
The horse balked at the jump.
Baulk
To show reluctance.
They baulked at the high price.
Balk
To refuse obstinately or abruptly
She balked at the very idea of compromise.
Baulk
To refuse abruptly.
He baulked at signing the contract.
Balk
(Sports) To make an incomplete or misleading motion.
Baulk
Variant of balk.
Balk
(Baseball) To make an illegal motion before pitching, allowing one or more base runners to advance one base.
Baulk
(British spelling) balk
Balk
To check or thwart by or as if by an obstacle.
Baulk
(British spelling) balk
Balk
(Archaic) To let go by; miss.
Baulk
The area on a billiard table behind the balkline;
A player with ball in hand must play from the balk
Balk
A hindrance, check, or defeat.
Baulk
Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
Balk
(Sports) An incomplete or misleading motion, especially an illegal move made by a baseball pitcher.
Baulk
One of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
Balk
(Games) One of the spaces between the cushion and the balk line on a billiard table.
Baulk
Refuse to comply
Balk
An unplowed strip of land.
Balk
A ridge between furrows.
Balk
A wooden beam or rafter.
Balk
(agriculture) An uncultivated ridge formed in the open field system, caused by the action of ploughing.
Balk
(archaeology) The wall of earth at the edge of an excavation.
Balk
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".
Balk
A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
Balk
A sudden and obstinate stop.
Balk
(obsolete) An omission.
Balk
(sports) A deceptive motion.
Balk
(baseball) An illegal motion by the pitcher, intended to deceive a runner.
Balk
(badminton) A motion used to deceive the opponent during a serve.
Balk
(billiards) 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.
Balk
(snooker) The area of the table lying behind the baulk line.
Balk
(fishing) The rope by which fishing nets are fastened together.
Balk
(archaic) To pass over or by.
Balk
To omit, miss, or overlook by chance.
Balk
(obsolete) To miss intentionally; to avoid.
Balk
To stop, check, block.
Balk
To stop short and refuse to go on.
The horse balked.
Balk
To refuse suddenly.
Balk
To disappoint; to frustrate.
To balk expectation
Balk
To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition.
Balk
To leave or make balks in.
Balk
To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles.
Balk
To make a deceptive motion to deceive another player.
Balk
To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.
Balk
A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside.
Bad plowmen made balks of such ground.
Balk
A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called "the balks."
Tubs hanging in the balks.
Balk
One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge.
Balk
A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
A balk to the confidence of the bold undertaker.
Balk
A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.
Balk
A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball. It is illegal and is penalized by allowing the runners on base to advance one base.
Balk
To leave or make balks in.
Balk
To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles.
Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights,Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see.
Balk
To omit, miss, or overlook by chance.
Balk
To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk.
By reason of the contagion then in London, we balked the inns.
Sick he is, and keeps his bed, and balks his meat.
Nor doth he any creature balk,But lays on all he meeteth.
Balk
To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to thwart; as, to balk expectation.
They shall not balk my entrance.
Balk
To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition.
In strifeful terms with him to balk.
Balk
To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks.
Ne ever ought but of their true loves talkt,Ne ever for rebuke or blame of any balkt.
Balk
To commit a balk{6}; - of a pitcher.
Balk
To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.
Balk
The area on a billiard table behind the balkline;
A player with ball in hand must play from the balk
Balk
Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
Balk
One of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
Balk
An illegal pitching motion while runners are on base
Balk
Refuse to comply
Balk
To stop and refuse to proceed.
The horse balked at the jump.
Balk
To obstruct or thwart.
His plans were balked by the weather.
Balk
To refuse to comply.
He balked at the regulations.
FAQs
Is "baulk" used in American English?
"Baulk" is rarely used in American English, where "balk" is preferred.
What does "baulk" mean?
"Baulk" means to hesitate or stop suddenly, commonly used in British English.
Can "balk" be used in a sports context?
Yes, particularly in baseball.
Do "baulk" and "balk" have the same pronunciation?
Yes, both are pronounced the same way.
What does "balk" mean?
"Balk" means to hesitate or refuse, primarily used in American English.
Is "balk" used in British English?
Yes, but "baulk" is more common in British English.
Where is "balk" commonly used?
"Balk" is commonly used in American English.
Can "baulk" be used metaphorically?
Yes, it can describe someone hesitating due to doubt.
Can "baulk" be used in a sports context?
Yes, it can refer to hesitation in sports like horse riding.
Do "baulk" and "balk" have the same meaning?
Yes, they share the same meaning but differ in regional usage.
Where is "baulk" commonly used?
"Baulk" is commonly used in British English.
Is "baulk" used in legal terms?
Less commonly, but it can be used in formal writing.
Do "baulk" and "balk" have different origins?
They share the same origin but evolved differently in British and American English.
Can "baulk" refer to physical stopping?
Yes, it can describe a physical halt.
Which is correct: "baulk" or "balk"?
Both are correct, depending on the regional spelling preference.
Can "balk" refer to physical stopping?
Yes, it describes a physical or metaphorical stop.
Which term is used in British legal documents?
"Baulk" is more likely used.
Can "balk" be used metaphorically?
Yes, it can describe someone stopping due to an obstacle.
Which term is used in American sports commentary?
"Balk" is commonly used, especially in baseball.
Is "balk" used in legal terms?
Yes, particularly in sports law and regulations.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
