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knight

7 synonyms for knight, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — In medieval Europe, an armoured warrior on horseback who served a lord, typically after training as a page and squire.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

dub

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

In medieval Europe, an armoured warrior on horseback who served a lord, typically after training as a page and squire.

“Each young squire trained for years hoping to become a knight.”

2. verb

To formally confer a knighthood on someone.

“The king chose to knight the brave sailor in front of the court.”

dub

How to use knight

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a knight in shining armour be knighted the knight's move

Etymology

From Old English cniht, originally meaning simply "boy" or "servant" — the meaning shifted over centuries to "mounted warrior" and then "honoured title."

Full origin of knight →

Frequently asked questions

What does “knight” mean?
The word “knight” means in medieval Europe, an armoured warrior on horseback who served a lord, typically after training as a page and squire. In plain terms, a medieval armoured warrior, a modern honorary title ("Sir"), or a piece in chess.
How do you pronounce “knight”?
“Knight” is pronounced NYT (/ˈnaɪ̯t/ in IPA).
How do you use “knight” in a sentence?
Here is “knight” used in a sentence: “The knight rode into battle wearing full plate armour.”
What is another word for “knight”?
Words with a similar meaning to “knight” include dub.
What part of speech is “knight”?
Depending on how it is used, “knight” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “knight” come from?
The word “knight” comes from Old English. From Old English cniht, originally meaning simply "boy" or "servant" — the meaning shifted over centuries to "mounted warrior" and then "honoured title.".
Is “knight” a common word?
“Knight” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “knight” have?
“Knight” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in medieval Europe, an armoured warrior on horseback who served a lord, typically after training as a page and squire.
What is the difference between a "knight" and a "squire"?
A squire was a young man who served and trained under a knight, the stage before being knighted himself. A knight was the fully trained armoured warrior on horseback; a boy usually served first as a page, then a squire, before becoming a knight.
What title does a British "knight" use?
A man who has been knighted by the monarch is entitled to place "Sir" before his name, as in "Sir Paul." A woman given the equivalent honour is called a "Dame" rather than a knight.
What is the difference between a "knight" and a "lord"?
A knight served a lord and held the lowest rank of the medieval nobility, earned through military service. A lord held a higher, often hereditary rank with authority over land and the knights who served him.
How does someone become a "knight" in Britain today?
In modern Britain, a man is made a knight when the monarch honours him for outstanding achievement, usually in a formal ceremony. Once knighted, he may use "Sir" before his name.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.