knit
niht
Knit (verb) means to make fabric or a garment by looping yarn together, either by hand with needles or by machine. Example: “Her grandmother knitted her a wool jumper for Christmas.”
verb
1
To make fabric or a garment by looping yarn together, either by hand with needles or by machine.
"Her grandmother knitted her a wool jumper for Christmas."
"She knits scarves for the whole family every winter."
"I learned to knit using thick needles and bright wool."
2
To join closely together, or (of a broken bone) to grow back together and heal.
"The two communities knitted together over the years to form one town."
"The fracture took six weeks to knit properly."
"The surgeon said the bone would knit within a couple of months."
How to use knit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make fabric by looping yarn, or to join firmly together (including a broken bone healing).
Common pairings
knit a jumper
knit together
a knit fracture
closely knit
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Word forms
- Plural
- knits
- Third person singular
- knits
- Past tense
- knitted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ scarves for the whole family every winter.
Etymology
From Old English cnyttan, meaning "to tie, fasten, or bind" — closely related to the word knot.
Related words
Rhymes for knit
See all rhymes for knit →Frequently asked questions
What does “knit” mean?
The word “knit” means to make fabric or a garment by looping yarn together, either by hand with needles or by machine. In plain terms, to make fabric by looping yarn, or to join firmly together (including a broken bone healing).
How do you pronounce “knit”?
“Knit” is pronounced niht (/nɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “knit” in a sentence?
Here is “knit” used in a sentence: “Her grandmother knitted her a wool jumper for Christmas.”
What part of speech is “knit”?
“Knit” is a verb.
Where does the word “knit” come from?
The word “knit” comes from Old English. From Old English cnyttan, meaning "to tie, fasten, or bind" — closely related to the word knot.
Is “knit” a common word?
“Knit” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “knit” have?
“Knit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make fabric or a garment by looping yarn together, either by hand with needles or by machine.
What is the difference between "knit" and "crochet"?
Knitting uses two needles (or a machine) to loop yarn into interlocking rows, while crocheting uses a single hook to build up stitches one at a time. Both create fabric from yarn, but the tools and resulting stitch structure differ.
What does it mean when broken bones "knit" together?
When broken bones "knit," it means the separated pieces have grown back together and healed into a single, solid piece.
Is "knit" or "knitted" the correct past tense?
Both "knit" and "knitted" are accepted as the past tense and past participle of the verb. "Knit" is often preferred when describing fabric, as in "a knit sweater," while "knitted" is common in other uses.
Can "knit" describe people or communities, not just fabric?
Yes, "knit" can describe people or groups joining closely together, as in a "tightly knit community," extending the idea of loops joining closely from fabric to relationships.
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