kneel
neel
Kneel (verb) means to lower the body so that one or both knees rest on the ground. Example: “The knights knelt before the king to receive their titles.”
verb
1
To lower the body so that one or both knees rest on the ground.
"He knelt him down to pray."
"The knights knelt before the king to receive their titles."
"She knelt beside the bed to say her prayers."
How to use kneel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go down onto your knees.
Common mistake
Both "knelt" and "kneeled" are accepted as the past tense — "knelt" is more common in British English.
Common pairings
kneel down
kneel before someone
kneel in prayer
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- kneels
- Past tense
- knelt, kneeled
Etymology
From Old English cnēowlian, built from knee plus a verb-forming ending, meaning literally "to go to the knee."
Rhymes for kneel
See all rhymes for kneel →Frequently asked questions
What does “kneel” mean?
The word “kneel” means to lower the body so that one or both knees rest on the ground. In plain terms, to go down onto your knees.
How do you pronounce “kneel”?
“Kneel” is pronounced neel (/niːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “kneel” in a sentence?
Here is “kneel” used in a sentence: “The knights knelt before the king to receive their titles.”
What part of speech is “kneel”?
“Kneel” is a verb.
Where does the word “kneel” come from?
The word “kneel” comes from Old English. From Old English cnēowlian, built from knee plus a verb-forming ending, meaning literally "to go to the knee.".
Is “kneel” a common word?
“Kneel” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
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