What does "knockout" mean?
The act of making one unconscious, or at least unable to come back on one's feet within a certain period of time; a TKO.
Knockout
/ˈnɑk.oʊt/ adj, noun, slang
adj, noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of making one unconscious, or at least unable to come back on one's feet within a certain period of time; a TKO.
- Grammar: knockout is listed as adj, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: beauty, stunner, ace, amazing.
- Useful contrasts: boring, functional gene, gentle.
- Usage evidence: He won the fight by a knockout.
How to use "knockout"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "knockout" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- 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 "knockout" 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 "knockout" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "knockout" 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 "knockout" is acting as adj, noun, 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 "beauty" 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 "knockout", 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 The act of making one unconscious, or at least unable to come back on one's feet within a certain period of time; a TKO.
"The boxer scored a knockout on his opponent."
- 2 a blow that renders the opponent unconscious wordnet
- 3 The deactivation of anything.
"Pull the plug on a node to see how the network handles a node knockout."
- 4 a very attractive or seductive looking woman wordnet
- 5 Something wildly popular, entertaining, or funny. informal
"If you've ever had a sack race, you know it's a real knockout for kids and adults alike."
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 A very attractive person, especially a beautiful woman. informal
"“There’s a girl wants to see you. Her name’s Wonderly.” “A customer?” “I guess so. You’ll want to see her anyway: she’s a knockout.”"
- 7 A partially punched opening meant for optional later removal.
"They left a knockout in the panel for running extra wires someday."
- 8 The deactivation of a particular gene.
- 9 A creature engineered with a particular gene deactivated.
- 10 An event where a foreground color causes a background color not to print.
- 11 A tournament in which a team or player must beat the opponent in order to progress to the next round.
"the knockout stages of the competition"
- 12 A simple game for two or more players, derived from basketball. uncountable
- 13 A woman in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. US, capitalized
- 14 Ellipsis of knockout auction. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
Adjective
- 1 Rendering someone unconscious. not-comparable
"He delivered a knockout blow."
- 2 Amazing; gorgeous; beautiful. not-comparable
"You should have seen her knockout eyes."
- 3 Designating an organism in which a particular gene has been removed or deactivated. not-comparable
"The result is a so-called knockout mouse, reared with a single gene silenced, the better to reveal that gene's true purpose."
- 4 Causing elimination from a competition. not-comparable
"Rodolph Austin delivered the knockout blow from close range 20 minutes from time, after Aidan White had given Leeds a dream start after four minutes."
Adjective
- 1 very strong or vigorous wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"He won the fight by a knockout."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "knockout"?
Common synonyms include: beauty, stunner, ace, amazing, ascendancy, bathing beauty.
How do you use "knockout" in a sentence?
He won the fight by a knockout.
How do you pronounce "knockout"?
Pronounced /ˈnɑk.oʊt/.
Etymology
Deverbal from knock out.