knightly

1 of 2

adjective

knight·​ly ˈnīt-lē 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a knight

tales of knightly adventures

2

: made up of knights

knightliness noun

knightly adverb

knightliness

2 of 2

noun

knight·​li·​ness

ˈnītlēnə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being knightly

broadly : chivalrous courtesy or gracious kindness

a natural knightliness characterized all his relations with others

Examples of knightly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

He’s saved by a drunken Ser Arlan, who comes stumbling into the alley and instinctively follows his knightly code to defend the innocent. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026

Far from a knightly war, the German advance in 1941-1942 against France was a dirty one, with thieving of private property and menace against civilians. —Christopher C. Gorham september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025

Christie’s knightly status in Westeros landed her roles in a few major franchises: first in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2 and later taking command as First Order stormtrooper Captain Phasma in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017). —Danny Horn, EW.com, 14 July 2024

The entire Christian civilization on which our country is built is a knightly message to defend widows and orphans. —Fox News, 9 June 2023

Expect to see some knightly duels, group melees and more. —Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 7 July 2013

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for knightly

• brightly
• lightly
• nightly
• rightly
• sightly
• slightly
• sprightly
• tightly
• whitely
• forthrightly
• fortnightly
• politely