knock
22
1.0
- noun
- /nɑk/
- As he was getting ready for bed, there was a knock on the door.
Examples
-
Then there was that knock on the head he took out in the woods a few days before.
-
The machine is sturdy enough but still takes a couple of heart-sinking hard knocks against the cliff.
Academic text (2009) -
When I heard the knock, in all ignorance, I pulled the door open.
Fiction book (2001) -
The conversation was interrupted by a sharp knock on the log above the entrance.
Fiction book (2001) -
There was a gentle, timid knock at the door, and Tom poked his head round.
Fiction book (1997) -
Only a few nicks and knocks in the woodwork betray the building's early rough use.
Academic text (2007) -
After the loud knock on the door, I quickly ran to see who it was.
-
The unexpected knock on my window startled me during the quiet night.
-
With a hard knock, he signaled that he wanted to come inside.
Synonyms
390
1.3
A sudden loud noise from a hit or impact
282
2.0
A strong hit from a fist or weapon
20
4.1
A hard hit with a lot of force, often from the arm
5
2.1
A short sharp knock on a surface to get attention
5
8.4
A hard loud hit from a flat object that makes a sharp sound
4
3.0
A very hard hit in sport, like in tennis
3
4.6
A quick hard hit with an open hand that makes a sharp sound
3
6.7
A very hard blow that hurts someone
2
4.6
A hard hit that causes pain or damage
1
9.9
A loud heavy knock or thump you hear clearly
1
9.9
A sudden strong hit that hurts someone or something
Antonyms
Idioms
- Offensive
1
9.9
To hit someone very hard or to shock someone very much
Compounds
- Jargon
1
8.7
A rummy game where a player ends a round if unmatched cards total less than ten points
- Jargon
1
8.2
The illegal action of hitting the ball forward with the hand or arm while trying to catch it
How Hard
Surface Forms
Etymology
Knock as a noun comes from the same sound-making word and originally meant the sharp hit itself. That's why a 'knock to the head' means a strong blow.