Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

white-knuckle

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

Definition of white-knuckle

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

See white-knuckle defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of white-knuckle

1872

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

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.

Learn More about white-knuckle

  1. See words that rhyme with white-knuckle

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up white-knuckle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cerulean

play

resembling the blue of the sky

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. mistrial 'a trial that terminates without a verdict'

  2. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  3. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  4. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  5. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

white-knuckle

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games