noun
knave
nayv
Knave (noun) means a dishonest or deceitful man. Example: “The play's villain is a scheming knave who betrays his own brother.”
noun
1
A dishonest or deceitful man.
"The play's villain is a scheming knave who betrays his own brother."
"I had never defrauded a man of a farthing, nor called him knave behind his back. But now the last rag that covered my nakedness had been torn from me. I was branded a blackleg, card-sharper, and murderer."
— William Blair Morton Ferguson (1908)
2
A playing card ranked below a queen, showing the figure of a servant or soldier; a jack.
"He needed the knave of hearts to complete his hand."
How to use knave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word for a dishonest, scheming man — or, in cards, another name for the jack.
When to use it
Sounds archaic or literary in modern English outside of card games.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- knaves
Fill the gap
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The play's villain is a scheming _____ who betrays his own brother.
Etymology
From Old English cnafa, originally just meaning "boy" or "male servant." Over the centuries the word's meaning darkened from a harmless term for a young servant into one for a dishonest, untrustworthy man.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for knave
See all rhymes for knave →Frequently asked questions
What does “knave” mean?
The word “knave” means a dishonest or deceitful man. In plain terms, an old-fashioned word for a dishonest, scheming man — or, in cards, another name for the jack.
How do you pronounce “knave”?
“Knave” is pronounced nayv (/neɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “knave” in a sentence?
Here is “knave” used in a sentence: “The play's villain is a scheming knave who betrays his own brother.”
What part of speech is “knave”?
“Knave” is a noun.
Where does the word “knave” come from?
The word “knave” comes from Old English. From Old English cnafa, originally just meaning "boy" or "male servant." Over the centuries the word's meaning darkened from a harmless term for a young servant into one for a dishonest, untrustworthy man.
How many meanings does “knave” have?
“Knave” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dishonest or deceitful man.
