knee
nee
Knee (noun) means the joint in the middle of the leg where the thigh bone meets the shin, allowing the leg to bend. Example: “He scraped his knee falling off his bike.”
noun
1
The joint in the middle of the leg where the thigh bone meets the shin, allowing the leg to bend.
"He scraped his knee falling off his bike."
"She knelt down on one knee to tie her shoelace."
"After the long hike, my knee felt stiff and sore."
verb
1
To hit or push someone with the knee.
"He kneed the punching bag as hard as he could."
"The footballer accidentally kneed his opponent while jumping for the ball."
"The toddler kneed the cushion off the sofa and giggled."
How to use knee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe joint that lets your leg bend, roughly halfway between your hip and your foot.
Common pairings
bend your knees
a knee injury
get down on one knee
a bad knee
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Word forms
- Plural
- knees, kneen
- Third person singular
- knees
- Past tense
- kneed
Fill the gap
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He scraped his _____ falling off his bike.
Etymology
From Old English cnēow, an ancient Germanic word related to Latin genū and Greek gónu — both also meaning "knee."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for knee
See all rhymes for knee →Frequently asked questions
What does “knee” mean?
The word “knee” means the joint in the middle of the leg where the thigh bone meets the shin, allowing the leg to bend. In plain terms, the joint that lets your leg bend, roughly halfway between your hip and your foot.
How do you pronounce “knee”?
“Knee” is pronounced nee (/ni/ in IPA).
How do you use “knee” in a sentence?
Here is “knee” used in a sentence: “He scraped his knee falling off his bike.”
What part of speech is “knee”?
Depending on how it is used, “knee” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “knee” come from?
The word “knee” comes from Latin. From Old English cnēow, an ancient Germanic word related to Latin genū and Greek gónu — both also meaning "knee.".
Is “knee” a common word?
“Knee” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “knee” have?
“Knee” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the joint in the middle of the leg where the thigh bone meets the shin, allowing the leg to bend.
What is the difference between the knee and the kneecap?
The knee is the whole joint in the middle of the leg where the thigh bone meets the shin, allowing the leg to bend. The kneecap is only the small bone at the front of that joint. So the kneecap is one part of the larger knee.
What are common expressions that use the word "knee"?
Everyday phrases include "knee-jerk reaction" (an automatic response given without real thought), "on bended knee" (kneeling, often to propose or plead), and "weak at the knees" (overcome by emotion). These idioms all draw on the knee's role in bending and kneeling.
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