knit

1 of 3

verb

ˈnit 

knit or knitted; knitting

transitive verb

1

: to form by interlacing yarn or thread in a series of connected loops with needles

2

a

: to link firmly or closely

knitted my hands

b

: to cause to grow together

time and rest will knit a fractured bone

c

: to contract into wrinkles

knitted her brow

3

chiefly dialectal : to tie together

intransitive verb

1

: to make knitted fabrics or objects

2

a

: to become compact

b

: to grow together

c

: to become drawn together

knitter noun

knit

2 of 3

noun

1

: knit stitch

2

a

: a knit fabric

b

knits plural : knitwear

knit

3 of 3

adjective

variants or knitted

1

: made from fabric formed by interlacing yarn or thread in a series of connected loops with needles : made from a knitted fabric

red knit socks

a knit/knitted cap

2

: involving connections or bonds between things or people

a novel with a tightly knit plot

… a closely knit team of specialists and medical care professionals.

—Dorothea D. Glass

A record is usually the result of a small, tightly knit team working in very close contact and with a continuity of attention.

—Brian Eno

Examples of knit in a Sentence

Verb

a style that knits together material from many different sources

a town knit together by farming

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The rib knit cuffs at the ankles also mean no dragging or nicking, and the one zippered pocket can keep small valuables safe and close. —Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026

Instead of crafting at home, people are bringing their projects on the road—stitching on park benches, sketching at the beach, knitting on train rides, or journaling during walks. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026

Noun

Shades variously described as salmon, blush, or Himalayan salt appeared across the spring runways at houses like Brunello Cucinelli, Zegna, Dior, and Louis Vuitton applied to staples—tailoring, knits, outerwear—rather than novelty pieces. —John Vorwald, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2026

Should baseball ever overcome its predilection for stuffing old men into polyester double-knits, the reversal would feel like a great loss. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Adjective

With transitional weather at the top of mind, there are few styles as effortless, ageless, and versatile as a knit cardigan. —Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026

Is someone in a hoodie and knit cap? —Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English knitten, from Old English cnyttan; akin to Old English cnotta knot

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing knit

• cable-knit
• close-knit
• double knit
• knit one's brow/brows
• knit stitch
• tight-knit
• warp knit
• weft knit
• well-knit

Rhymes for knit

• bit
• brit
• britt
• chit
• fit
• flit
• grit
• hit
• it
• kitt
• lit
• mitt

Kids Definition

knit

1 of 2 verb

ˈnit 

knit or knitted; knitting

1

: to form a fabric or garment by interlacing yarn or thread in connected loops with needles

knit a sweater

2

: to draw or come together closely as if knitted : unite firmly

wait for a broken bone to knit

3

: wrinkle entry 2

knit her brow

knitter noun

knit

2 of 2 noun

: a knit fabric or garment

Medical Definition

knit

verb

ˈnit 

knit or knitted; knitting

transitive verb

: to cause to grow together

time and rest will knit a fractured bone

intransitive verb

: to grow together

fractures in old bones knit slowly