knock-kneed

adjective

1
: having knock-knee
an emaciated knock-kneed child
2
a
: functioning or moving awkwardly or jerkily or laboriously
a knock-kneed mind
knock-kneed lines of verse
: limping, lame, inept, weak
a knock-kneed excuse
b
: devoid of smoothness and grace : clumsy, gauche
a knock-kneed collection of provincial practitionersTimes Literary Supplement
a knock-kneed vase in the foregroundH. L. Mencken

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Cite this Entry

“Knock-kneed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knock-kneed. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

knock-kneed

adjective
ˈnäk-ˈnēd
: having the legs bowed inward
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