Knock

/nɒk/ name, noun, verb, slang

name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: An abrupt rapping sound, as from an impact of a hard object against wood.
  • Grammar: knock is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: bang, knocking, rap, abuse.
  • Useful contrasts: advance, advantage, avoid.
  • Usage evidence: I consider the Jehovah's witnesses who knock on my door all the time to be no different from religious zealots trying to force their beliefs on me.

How to use "knock"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "knock" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "knock" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "knock" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "knock" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "knock" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "bang" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "knock", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An abrupt rapping sound, as from an impact of a hard object against wood. countable, uncountable

    "It came to me, like a knock on the door / Erasing all that had gone before / Broken wings can be mended / But this love of ours, we've got to defend it"

  2. 2
    the act of hitting vigorously wordnet
  3. 3
    A sharp impact. countable, uncountable

    "He took a knock on the head."

  4. 4
    negative criticism wordnet
  5. 5
    A criticism. countable, figuratively, informal, uncountable

    "Since forming in 2007 Mumford & Sons have hard-toured their way to a vast market for throaty folk that's strong on banjo and bass drum. They have released two enormous albums. But, wow, do they take some knocks back home."

Show 8 more definitions
  1. 6
    a bad experience wordnet
  2. 7
    A blow or setback. countable, figuratively, informal, uncountable

    ""Come on!" cried Mr. Beaver, who was almost dancing with delight. "Come and see! This is a nasty knock for the Witch! It looks as if her power was already crumbling.""

  3. 8
    the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing) wordnet
  4. 9
    Preignition, a type of abnormal combustion occurring in spark ignition engines caused by self-ignition; also, the characteristic knocking sound associated with it. uncountable
  5. 10
    a vigorous blow wordnet
  6. 11
    A batsman's innings. countable, slang, uncountable

    "He had a good knock and scored well."

  7. 12
    A ball hit into play, especially one that becomes a hit. countable, uncountable

    "He played a slow but sure knock of 35."

  8. 13
    Synonym of hunger knock. uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To rap one's knuckles against something, especially wood. intransitive

    "Knock on the door and find out if they’re home."

  2. 2
    find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws wordnet
  3. 3
    To strike for admittance; to rap upon, as a door. dated, transitive

    "Master, knock the door hard."

  4. 4
    deliver a sharp blow or push wordnet
  5. 5
    To criticize verbally; to denigrate; to undervalue. colloquial, transitive

    "Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it."

Show 11 more definitions
  1. 6
    knock against with force or violence wordnet
  2. 7
    To kick a ball towards another player; to pass. transitive
  3. 8
    rap with the knuckles wordnet
  4. 9
    To hit a ball into play. transitive

    "Despite enjoying more than their fair share of possession the visitors did not look like creating anything, with their lack of a killer ball painfully obvious as they harmlessly knocked the ball around outside the home side's box without ever looking like they would hurt them."

  5. 10
    sound like a car engine that is firing too early wordnet
  6. 11
    To impress forcibly or strongly; to astonish; to move to admiration or applause. British, dated, slang, transitive
  7. 12
    make light, repeated taps on a surface wordnet
  8. 13
    To bump or impact. ambitransitive, dated

    "I knocked against the table and bruised my leg."

  9. 14
    To have sex with. slang, transitive
  10. 15
    To prosecute under the law; to arrest, imprison, etc. slang, transitive

    "The cops had busted us for selling hot designer bags up on Utica Avenue for some cat who figured we was too young to get knocked if we got caught, but two fat white po-pos said fuck how young we was, and threw us in a cell for damn near three days until they could contact Noojie to come get us out."

  11. 16
    To end play by declaring one's hand to have under a certain amount of deadwood. intransitive
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A suburb and ward in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
  2. 2
    A townland in Drumcliff civil parish, County Clare, Ireland.
  3. 3
    A town and civil parish of County Mayo, Ireland, location of the Knock Shrine.
  4. 4
    A settlement in Moray council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NJ5552).
  5. 5
    A village on the Isle of Lewis, Western Isles council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NB4931).
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    A village in Long Marton parish, Westmorland and Furness, Cumbria, England, previously in Eden district (OS grid ref NY6827).
  2. 7
    A surname.

Synonyms

All synonyms
bangknockingrapabuseadverse criticismanimadversion

Example

"I consider the Jehovah's witnesses who knock on my door all the time to be no different from religious zealots trying to force their beliefs on me."

Common questions

What does "knock" mean?

An abrupt rapping sound, as from an impact of a hard object against wood.

What is a synonym for "knock"?

Common synonyms include: bang, knocking, rap, abuse, adverse criticism, animadversion.

How do you use "knock" in a sentence?

I consider the Jehovah's witnesses who knock on my door all the time to be no different from religious zealots trying to force their beliefs on me.

How do you pronounce "knock"?

Pronounced /nɒk/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English knokken, from Old English cnocian, ġecnocian, ġecnucian, cnucian (“to knock, pound on, beat”), from Proto-West Germanic *knokōn, from Proto-Germanic *knukōną (“to knock”), a suffixed form of *knu-, *knew- (“to pound on, beat”), from Proto-Indo-European *gnew-, *gen- (“to squeeze, pinch, kink, ball up, concentrate”). The English word is cognate with Middle High German knochen (“to hit”), Old English cnuian, cnuwian (“to pound, knock”), Old Norse knoka (compare Danish knuge (“to squeeze”), Swedish knocka (“to hug”)).

Etymology 2

(Ireland, Scotland, Cumbria) from Irish cnoc and Scottish Gaelic cnoc

More for "knock"

Synonyms

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