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white-knuckle

adjective white-knuck·le \ ˈhwīt-ˈnə-kəl , ˈwīt- \
variants: or less commonly white-knuckled play \ˈhwīt-ˈnə-kəld, ˈwīt-\
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Definition of white-knuckle

: marked by, causing, or experiencing tense nervousness
  • a white-knuckle ride on a roller coaster
  • a white-knuckle passenger

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First Known Use of white-knuckle

1872

in the meaning defined above

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WHITE-KNUCKLE Defined for English Language Learners

white-knuckle

adjective

Definition of white-knuckle for English Language Learners

  • : showing, experiencing, or causing very strong feelings of fear, anxiety, etc.

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