knobby

1 of 2

adjective

knob·​by ˈnäbē 

-bi

usually knobbier; usually knobbiest

1

a

: having knobs : having several or many knobs : covered with knobs: such as

(1)

: having protuberances, projections, or protrusions

knobby bones

knobby knees

knobby knuckles

: bumpy

grinned toothlessly and extended a knobby hand

—Dorothy Sayers

(2)

: having usually rounded land prominences : hilly

knobby farmland

b

: shaped like or suggestive of a knob

little knobby noses

—Joseph Conrad

2

a

: involving difficulties : perplexing, intricate, knotty

some of the knobby problems of publishing

—Harvey Breit

b

: resisting compromise or evasion or unequivocal solution : stubbornly unyielding : hard, obstinate

prefer to turn away from the knobby facts of life

—Time

knobby

2 of 2

"

variant spelling of nobby:1

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

knob entry 1 + -y

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Rhymes for knobby

• bobbie
• bobby
• hobby
• lobby
• nabi
• nobby
• panjabi
• punjabi
• wahhabi