noun
penknife
Penknife (noun) means a small folding knife that fits easily in a pocket. Example: “He whittled the stick down with his penknife while waiting for the bus.”
noun
1
A small folding knife that fits easily in a pocket.
"He whittled the stick down with his penknife while waiting for the bus."
How to use penknife
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small pocket knife, historically used for trimming quill pens.
Common pairings
a small penknife
whittle with a penknife
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Word forms
- Plural
- penknives
- Third person singular
- penknifes
- Past tense
- penknifed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He whittled the stick down with his _____ while waiting for the bus.
Etymology
From pen + knife — originally a small knife used to sharpen (cut a "nib" into) quill pens.
Rhymes for penknife
See all rhymes for penknife →Frequently asked questions
What does “penknife” mean?
The word “penknife” means a small folding knife that fits easily in a pocket. In plain terms, a small pocket knife, historically used for trimming quill pens.
How do you use “penknife” in a sentence?
Here is “penknife” used in a sentence: “He whittled the stick down with his penknife while waiting for the bus.”
What part of speech is “penknife”?
“Penknife” is a noun.
What is the meaning of penknife?
"penknife" (noun) means a small folding knife that fits easily in a pocket.
