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knot

knot

95 1.0
A fastening made by tying rope or string to hold things together
  • noun
  • /nɑt/
translation icon : nudo
  • Tie a temporary, loose knot to stand the longerons as a tripod.
  • tying knots
  • a secure knot
  • Gordian knot

I like the bone line knot or the clove hitch.

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Examples

  • I took forever to tie one knot, longer to get the tarp up.

    Academic text (2001)
  • You got to make sure it's a good knot.

  • And when I finish, I have a tight knot which is flat like this.

  • Better keep that knot tight.

  • I want you and that young man to tie that knot.

  • Simple test, like just putting a knot on a bolt.

  • Once the knot was out of the cord, Natalie could easily take the cane apart.

    Academic text (2008)
  • We tied several overhand knots in the end of the rope we would be holding.

    Academic text (1997)
  • He used a strong rope to tie a knot that kept the boat secure to the dock.

  • Before climbing the mountain, she practiced tying a knot that would hold her weight.

Synonyms

bow
vsknot
100 1.0

A knot with two loops and two loose ends used to decorate or fasten items

is a generic tied fastening used for many practical purposes
hitch
vsknot
  • Specialized
5 4.8

A quick knot that can be tied and untied

is the generic tied fastening not specifically designed for quick release
bowline
vsknot
  • Specialized
4 8.2

A fixed loop at the end of a rope that does not slip or jam and is easy to untie

is a broad fastening by tying rope to itself or to something else
slipknot
vsknot
3 5.5

A knot you can easily undo by pulling one end

is the general tied fastening which may be secure rather than slip released
half hitch
vsknot
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A simple knot that holds a rope by looping its end around an object

is the general act of tying for secure or decorative purposes
bowline knot
vsknot
  • Specialized
1 7.3

A way of tying a rope to make a fixed loop that will not slip or jam

is a general fastening made by tying rope to itself or another object
loop knot
vsknot
1 5.3

A fixed ring in a rope that does not slip or change size

is any fastening made by tying rope to itself or another object
fisherman's knot
vsknot
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A way of tying two fishing lines together so they hold well

is a wide term for any fastening made by tying rope or cord
barrel knot
vsknot
  • Jargon
1 8.6

A knot people who fish use to join two lines by wrapping the ends together

is the broader tying concept rather than this specific joining technique
clove hitch
vsknot
  • Specialized
1 8.5

A knot to fasten a rope to a post that is quick to tie and untie

is any tied fastening rather than a quick temporary attachment method
tye
vsknot
  • Archaic
9.9

A knot used to hold things together

is the common modern term for any fastening by tying rope or cord
bowknot
vsknot
6.1

A knot with two loops and loose ends that people use to tie ribbons or shoelaces

is a general tied fastening rather than a decorative two loop style
reef knot
vsknot
  • Specialized
5.2

A way of tying two rope ends by crossing them left then right to hold bandages or sails

is a broad tied fastening not limited to that specific joining method
stopper knot
vsknot
  • Specialized
5.8

A way of tying the end of a rope to stop it slipping through a hole

is the general idea of fastening by tying rather than this end stopper use
blood knot
vsknot
  • Specialized
7.7

A strong knot for joining two fishing lines by wrapping their ends

is a general tied fastening not limited to fishing line joins
fisherman's bend
vsknot
  • Specialized
8.8

A knot used to hold a rope to a ring or pole

is the overall category of fastenings made by tying rope to things
weaver's knot
vsknot
  • Specialized
8.9

To tie one rope or thread temporarily to the middle of another rope to join them

is a wider term for any fastening made by tying rope parts together
balloon knot
vsknot
3.9

A knot that keeps air or helium inside a balloon

is the broad practice of fastening by tying rather than this sealing use

Idioms

to tie the knot
  • Informal
26 3.1

To get married and begin life together as a couple

To become upset or worried about something not important

To become upset over a small problem

Get very upset or worried about something small

Compounds

Gordian knot
  • Literature
1 9.9

A very difficult problem with no easy solution

square knot
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A knot used to join two ends of rope or cord by tying two opposite small knots

1 4.4

A wide, triangular knot for tying a tie that gives a formal look

bowline knot
  • Specialized
1 7.3

A way of tying a rope to make a fixed loop that will not slip or jam

barrel knot
  • Jargon
1 8.6

A knot people who fish use to join two lines by wrapping the ends together

fisherman's knot
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A way of tying two fishing lines together so they hold well

1 5.3

A fixed ring in a rope that does not slip or change size

1 6.4

A knot used to show love and a close connection

granny knot
  • Specialized
1 8.5

A weak way of tying rope or laces that slips open easily

You make it by passing the rope end over itself and pulling it through the loop

blood knot
  • Specialized
7.7

A strong knot for joining two fishing lines by wrapping their ends

black knot
  • Specialized
8.8

A disease that makes black, hard lumps on cherry and plum branches

A knot that keeps air or helium inside a balloon

flat knot
  • Specialized
3.6

A simple tie that joins two ropes securely, often used in sailing and wrapping packages

French knot
  • Jargon
7.2

A small raised knot on fabric made by winding thread around a needle

5.4

A decorative loop of rope or ribbon used as a sign of love

A decorative knot used on jewelry to show love between two people

Matthew Walker knot
  • Specialized
9.9

A knot tied at the end of a rope to stop the end passing through an opening

prolonge knot
  • Archaic
9.9

A way of tying a rope to attach and pull a cannon carriage

reef knot
  • Specialized
5.2

A way of tying two rope ends by crossing them left then right to hold bandages or sails

7.9

A hard piece of pine wood from where a branch meets the trunk that burns brightly

surgeon's knot
  • Specialized
7.7

A knot with an extra twist used to tie stitches or join two lines

A small decorative cord or tassel that hangs from a sword hilt and keeps the sword tied to the wrist

A decorative knot used as a sign of love, often seen in jewelry

A decorative knot design that shows love and loyalty in jewelry

A knot used to join the ends of two ropes so they stay together

A way of joining two ropes used as a symbol of love

stopper knot
  • Specialized
5.8

A way of tying the end of a rope to stop it slipping through a hole

weaver's knot
  • Specialized
8.9

To tie one rope or thread temporarily to the middle of another rope to join them

How Secure

to splice
8 6.4
to hitch
35 4.5
knot
95 1.0
loop
67 2.5

Surface Forms

knot singular
knots plural

Etymology

Knot comes from an old German word that meant a small 'lump' or something 'tied' together, and people long ago used it for a place where rope is tied. So a knot is the point where rope or string is 'tied' to hold things fast.