noun
Uncommon
knuckle
NUH-kuhl
Knuckle (noun) means any of the joints of the fingers, especially where the fingers meet the hand. Example: “He rapped his knuckles on the table to get everyone's attention.”
noun
1
Any of the joints of the fingers, especially where the fingers meet the hand.
"He rapped his knuckles on the table to get everyone's attention."
verb
1
To give in or submit, often used in the phrase "knuckle under."
"He refused to knuckle under to pressure from his rivals."
How to use knuckle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe joints of your fingers, or, as a verb, to give in to pressure.
Common pairings
crack your knuckles
knuckle down
knuckle under
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Word forms
- Plural
- knuckles
- Third person singular
- knuckles
- Past tense
- knuckled
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He rapped his _____ on the table to get everyone's attention.
Etymology
From Old English cnucel, "the joint between two bones," closely related to the word knock.
Synonyms
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knuckle joint
metacarpophalangeal joint
Rhymes for knuckle
See all rhymes for knuckle →Frequently asked questions
What does “knuckle” mean?
The word “knuckle” means any of the joints of the fingers, especially where the fingers meet the hand. In plain terms, the joints of your fingers, or, as a verb, to give in to pressure.
How do you pronounce “knuckle”?
“Knuckle” is pronounced NUH-kuhl (/ˈnʌkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “knuckle” in a sentence?
Here is “knuckle” used in a sentence: “He rapped his knuckles on the table to get everyone's attention.”
What part of speech is “knuckle”?
Depending on how it is used, “knuckle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “knuckle” come from?
The word “knuckle” comes from Old English. From Old English cnucel, "the joint between two bones," closely related to the word knock.
Is “knuckle” a common word?
“Knuckle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “knuckle” have?
“Knuckle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any of the joints of the fingers, especially where the fingers meet the hand.
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