🤕 To hit 🚪 To tap for attention 👎 To criticize 🔔 A tapping sound 💥 A hard hit 🗣️ A criticism 🚗 To make engine noise

knock

32 1.0

A hard blow that can cause pain or damage

noun
/nɑk/

: golpe

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.

Revenge (1986)
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

blow

vsknock

271 2.0

A strong hit from a fist or weapon

is the same forceful action but emphasises a single hard hit

bang

vsknock

237 1.3

A sudden loud noise from a hit or impact

is a forceful hit emphasising the impact rather than the noise

belt

vsknock

Informal

98 4.1

A hard hit with a lot of force, often from the arm

is a strong strike that may be less deliberately painful

rap

vsknock

25 2.1

A short sharp knock on a surface to get attention

is a hard, forceful hit rather than a light tapping sound

smash

vsknock

7 3.0

A very hard hit in sport, like in tennis

is a hard strike used more broadly not only in sports

bash

vsknock

NSFW

4 4.6

A hard hit that causes pain or damage

is similar but refers to forceful general strikes

thwack

vsknock

3 8.4

A hard loud hit from a flat object that makes a sharp sound

is a hard strike without requiring a flat object or loud sound

wallop

vsknock

Informal

3 6.7

A very hard blow that hurts someone

is a forceful hit without focusing specifically on damage

smacking

vsknock

1 4.6

A quick hard hit with an open hand that makes a sharp sound

is a hard blow that is not limited to an open hand strike

golpe

vsknock

9.9

A sudden strong hit that hurts someone or something

is a forceful blow but not necessarily violent in intent

donk

vsknock

9.9

A loud heavy knock or thump you hear clearly

is a hard strike that may not be as loud or distinct

Antonyms

soft touch

1 3.7

A gentle way of touching or handling people and objects

Idioms

to knock down a peg

Informal

3 7.6

Make someone feel less proud by criticizing or embarrassing them

to knock for a loop

Informal

1 8.7

To surprise someone very much and leave them speechless

to knock over with a feather

Informal

1 8.8

To be so surprised that you almost cannot react

to knock the stuffing out of

Informal

1 8.6

To make someone feel very tired, weak, or sad

to knock off one's perch

Informal

1 7.9

To defeat the person or team at the top and take their place

to knock into the middle of next week

Informal

9.9

To hit or shock someone so they feel dazed

to knock it out of the box office

Literature

8.4

To sell a lot of movie tickets

to knock down for the count

Informal

8.2

To be hit so hard that you fall and cannot get up

knock on wood

Informal

6.8

You say it to avoid bad luck after saying something good

to knock the living daylights out of

Offensive

9.9

To hit someone very hard or to shock someone very much

Compounds

knock on

Jargon

7 8.2

The illegal action of hitting the ball forward with the hand or arm while trying to catch it

knock-on effect

2 4.7

An indirect result of an event that causes other changes

knock knock

Informal

2 4.3

A short joke that starts with 'Knock knock!' and uses a call and answer

knock-kneed

1 8.4

With knees that bend inward and touch while the ankles stay apart

knock rummy

Jargon

1 8.7

A rummy game where a player ends a round if unmatched cards total less than ten points

knock-down-and-drag-out

NSFW

8.8

Very violent and intense, often about a fight or argument

knock-knee

8.2

Knees that turn inward and touch when the legs are straight

hunger knock

9.8

A strong feeling or sound in the stomach that tells you to eat soon

How Hard

to smash

311 2.1

bang

237 1.3

knock

32 1.0

to rap

8 3.7

tap

66 1.0

Surface Forms

knock singular

knocks plural

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.