knock

¹knock

verb \ˈnäk\

Definition of KNOCK

intransitive verb

1

: to strike something with a sharp blow

2

: to collide with something

3

a : bustle <heard them knocking around in the kitchen>

b : wander <knocked about Europe all summer>

4

a : to make a pounding noise

b : to have engine knock

5

: to find fault

transitive verb

1

a (1) : to strike sharply (2) : to drive, force, or make by or as if by so striking <was knocked out of the campaign>

b : to set forcibly in motion with a blow

2

: to cause to collide

3

: to find fault with <always knocking those in authority>

— knock cold

: knock out 2a(1)

— knock dead

: to move strongly especially to admiration or applause <a comedian who really knocks them dead>

— knock for a loop

1

a : overcome <knocked my opponent for a loop>

b : demolish <knocked our idea for a loop>

2

: dumbfound, amaze <the news knocked them for a loop>

— knock one's socks off

: to overwhelm or amaze one <a performance that will knock your socks off>

— knock on wood

—used interjectionally to ward off misfortune

— knock together

: to make or assemble especially hurriedly or in a makeshift way <knocked together my own bookcase>

Examples of KNOCK

1. The ball knocked him on the chin.
2. She knocked the glass from his hand.
3. He knocked the baseball over the fence.
4. The ball hit him in the mouth and knocked out one of his teeth.
5. The wind knocked him backwards.
6. The dog knocked against the lamp.
7. My knee accidentally knocked against the table.
8. Skaters were knocking into each other all over the ice.
9. I accidentally knocked my knee against the table.

Origin of KNOCK

Middle English knoken, from Old English cnocian; akin to Middle High German knochen to press

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to KNOCK

Synonyms

bang, bash, bump, collide, crash, impact, impinge, hit, ram, slam, smash, strike, swipe, thud

Antonyms

extol (also extoll), laud, praise

Related Words

bounce, carom, clunk, glance, rebound, ricochet, skim, skip; contact, land, touch; brush, graze, kiss, nudge, scrape, shave, sweep; bulldoze, jostle, muscle, press, push

Near Antonyms

miss, skirt

²knock

noun

Definition of KNOCK

1

a : a sharp blow : rap, hit <a loud knock on the door>

b (1) : a severe misfortune or hardship (2) : setback, reversal

2

a : a pounding noise

b : a sharp repetitive metallic noise caused by abnormal ignition in an automobile engine

3

: a harsh and often petty criticism <the knock on him was that he couldn't handle the pressure>

Examples of KNOCK

1. He gave him a knock on the head.
2. There was a loud knock at the door.
3. She took some knocks early in her career.
4. He likes praise but can't stand the knocks.

First Known Use of KNOCK

14th century

Related to KNOCK

Synonyms

bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, douse [British], fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, ¹blow, larrup [dialect], lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, stroke, swat, swipe, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop (also whap)

Antonyms

fortune, luck, serendipity

Related Words

counter, counterblow, counterpunch, counterstroke; body blow, hand, kick, knee, left, one-two, rabbit punch, right, right-hander, roundhouse, shiver, sidewinder, sucker punch, swing, uppercut; cruncher, kayo, knockdown, knockout, KO; bastinado (or bastinade), battering, beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, cudgeling (or cudgelling), drubbing, hammering, lambasting, licking, pasting, pounding, pummeling (also pummelling), thrashing; flogging, walloping, whip, whipping

Near Antonyms

break, chance, fluke, godsend, hit, opportunity, strike, stroke, windfall; accomplishment, achievement, success

knock

noun \ˈnäk\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of KNOCK

1

: a sharp blow <a knock to the head>

2

: a sharp pounding noise