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Definition and meaning of English word "knife"

knife

/naɪf/

Meaning

Noun

A utensil or a tool designed for cutting, consisting of a flat piece of hard material, usually steel or other metal (the blade), usually sharpened on one edge, attached to a handle. The blade may be pointed for piercing.

Reviewed by the TheLernen language teamDefinition sourced from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)

How to use

The term 'knife' is commonly used in everyday conversation and can be found in various contexts, from culinary to tactical. A learner should note that 'knife' can be both countable and uncountable, depending on the context; for instance, 'a knife' refers to one utensil, while 'knives' can imply multiple utensils or a type of weapon. One common mistake is using 'knife' as a verb, which can lead to confusion.

🇬🇧 English

knife

Example

I need a knife

Use a sharp knife

Your personal vocabulary

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Synonyms

bladedaggercutter

Common phrases

  • sharp knife— sharp knife
  • knife edge— knife edge
  • put the knife in— put the knife in

More Objects & Things words

Frequency rank: #398 in English

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the English word "knife" mean?▼

The English word "knife" means "knife" in English.

How do you pronounce the English word "knife"?▼

You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "knife" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.

Can I see an example sentence with "knife"?▼

Yes, here is a practical example: "I need a knife" (which translates as "knife").

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