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knuckle

2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for knuckle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Any of the joints of the fingers, especially where the fingers meet the hand.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

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

knuckle joint metacarpophalangeal joint

How to use knuckle

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

crack your knuckles knuckle down knuckle under

Etymology

From Old English cnucel, "the joint between two bones," closely related to the word knock.

Full origin of knuckle →

Frequently asked questions

What does “knuckle” mean?

The word “knuckle” means any of the joints of the fingers, especially where the fingers meet the hand. In plain terms, the joints of your fingers, or, as a verb, to give in to pressure.

How do you pronounce “knuckle”?

“Knuckle” is pronounced NUH-kuhl (/ˈnʌkəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “knuckle” in a sentence?

Here is “knuckle” used in a sentence: “He rapped his knuckles on the table to get everyone's attention.”

What part of speech is “knuckle”?

Depending on how it is used, “knuckle” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “knuckle” come from?

The word “knuckle” comes from Old English. From Old English cnucel, "the joint between two bones," closely related to the word knock.

Is “knuckle” a common word?

“Knuckle” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “knuckle” have?

“Knuckle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any of the joints of the fingers, especially where the fingers meet the hand.

Nearby words

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.