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Definition of whelk
whelk
/wɛlk/
whelk
Plural:whelks
whelk Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
whelk Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
Any of various large, predatory marine snails, particularly those in the family Buccinidae, characterized by a sturdy, spiral shell and often harvested as food.
Example
"While walking along the shoreline at low tide, the marine biology students collected several empty whelk shells scattered among the seaweed."
2
A raised, inflamed spot on the skin, such as a pimple or pustule.
Example
"The historical medical text described the affliction as a sudden outbreak of painful whelks across the patient's shoulders."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for whelk• Rhymes for whelk
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Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'weoloc' or 'wiluc', referring to a marine snail used for food or dye, of Germanic origin.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Whelk. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/whelk