verb
knell
nehl
Knell (verb) means to ring a bell slowly and solemnly, especially to mark a death or funeral. Example: “The church bell knelled through the village as the funeral procession passed.”
verb
1
To ring a bell slowly and solemnly, especially to mark a death or funeral.
"The church bell knelled through the village as the funeral procession passed."
noun
1
A slow, solemn ringing of a bell, especially to announce a death; more broadly, a sign that something is coming to an end.
"The factory closure sounded the knell for the town's manufacturing industry."
How to use knell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slow, mournful bell-toll, or, more broadly, a sign that something is dying or ending.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sound the death knell
a knell for something
the final knell
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Word forms
- Plural
- knells
- Third person singular
- knells
- Past tense
- knelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The church bell _____ through the village as the funeral procession passed.
Etymology
From Old English cnyllan, "to strike or knock," related to an old Germanic root meaning "to beat or push."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for knell
See all rhymes for knell →Frequently asked questions
What does “knell” mean?
The word “knell” means to ring a bell slowly and solemnly, especially to mark a death or funeral. In plain terms, a slow, mournful bell-toll, or, more broadly, a sign that something is dying or ending.
How do you pronounce “knell”?
“Knell” is pronounced nehl (/nɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “knell” in a sentence?
Here is “knell” used in a sentence: “The church bell knelled through the village as the funeral procession passed.”
What part of speech is “knell”?
Depending on how it is used, “knell” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “knell” come from?
The word “knell” comes from Old English. From Old English cnyllan, "to strike or knock," related to an old Germanic root meaning "to beat or push.".
How many meanings does “knell” have?
“Knell” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to ring a bell slowly and solemnly, especially to mark a death or funeral.
