knob

noun

ˈnäb 

1

a

: a small rounded ornament or handle

b

: a rounded protuberance : lump

2

: a rounded usually isolated hill or mountain

knobbed

ˈnäbd 

adjective

knobby

ˈnä-bē 

adjective

Synonyms of knob

• chunk
• hunk
• clump
• wad
• glob
• lump

Examples of knob in a Sentence

a carved walking stick with a silver knob

toss a knob of butter into the frying pan

Recent Examples on the Web

Many companies have gone further, integrating essential vehicle controls into those systems while reducing physical buttons and knobs. —Chris Teague, AJC.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Protect Hardware When Painting Painting can result in a real mess when stray streaks and drips land on handles, knobs, and pulls. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026

One of the regulars is sloshed and keeps turning the knob, switching radio stations every which way. —E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026

Upgrade Your Hardware Speaking of hardware—replacing your builder-grade door handles, cabinet knobs, light switches, vent covers, and even door hinges can instantly upgrade a space. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English knobbe; akin to Middle Low German knubbe knob

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing knob

• stop knob

Rhymes for knob

• blob
• bob
• cob
• daub
• fob
• glob
• gob
• hob
• job
• lob
• mob
• rob

Kids Definition

knob

noun

ˈnäb 

1

a

: a rounded lump

b

: a small rounded handle

2

: a rounded hill

knobbed

ˈnäbd 

adjective

knobby

ˈnäb-ē 

adjective

Medical Definition

knob

noun

ˈnäb 

: a rounded protuberance or lump

knobby

ˈnäb-ē 

adjective