knit

[ nit ]

verb (used with object)

, knit·ted or knit, knit·ting.

1. Knitting. to make (a garment, fabric, etc.) by interlocking loops of one or more yarns either by hand with knitting needles or by machine.
2. to join closely and firmly, as members or parts (often followed by together ):

   The tragedy knitted the family closer together.

   Synonyms: bind, unite, link

3. to contract into folds or wrinkles:

   to knit the brow.

4. to form or create from diverse sources or elements:

   She knitted her play from old folk tales and family anecdotes.

verb (used without object)

, knit·ted or knit, knit·ting.

1. to become closely and firmly joined together; grow together, as broken bones do.
2. to contract into folds or wrinkles, as the brow.
3. to become closely and intimately united.

noun

, Knitting.

1. fabric produced by knitting.
2. a knitted garment.
3. a style or type of knitting.
4. the basic stitch in knitting, formed by pulling a loop of the working yarn forward through an existing stitch and then slipping that stitch off the needle. Compare purl ¹( def 3 ).

knit

/ nɪt /

verb

1. to make (a garment, etc) by looping and entwining (yarn, esp wool) by hand by means of long eyeless needles ( knitting needles ) or by machine ( knitting machine )
2. to join or be joined together closely
3. to draw (the brows) together or (of the brows) to come together, as in frowning or concentrating
4. (of a broken bone) to join together; heal

noun

1. 1. a fabric or garment made by knitting
   2. ( in combination )

      a heavy knit

Derived Forms

• ˈknitter, noun
• ˈknittable, adjective

Other Words From

• knit·ta·ble adjective
• knit·ter noun
• pre·knit verb (used with object) preknitted or preknit preknitting
• re·knit verb reknitted or reknit reknitting

Word History and Origins

Origin of knit¹

before 1000; Middle English knitte, Old English cnyttan to tie; cognate with German knütten; knot ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of knit¹

Old English cnyttan to tie in; related to Middle Low German knütten to knot together; see knot ¹

Example Sentences

Celebrating wintertime with traditional British designs, the accessory collection of knit caps, snoods, gloves, and socks features JW Anderson’s styling twists with heat tech.

From Essence.com

It has all the warming, wicking, odor-resisting, quick-drying benefits of wool in a tight knit that keeps winter winds at bay.

From Outside Online

That’s thanks in part to the knit merino wool, which creates a classy yet functional look.

From Outside Online

From its wide, comfortable head straps to its highly breathable, thin double-layer polyester knit fabric, Buff’s filter mask feels made for runners, skiers, and anyone else who does high-motion sports.

From Outside Online

The medium-thick, double-layer quilted polyester knit has an antimicrobial treatment that may help limit contact transmission when you touch the mask.

From Outside Online

There were little blond girls in knit hats next to elderly African American women hobbling on canes.

From The Daily Beast

Maira Kalman greets me in her Manhattan apartment wearing a white, waffle-knit bathrobe.

From The Daily Beast

A few years passed, and La Banda Picasso remained tight knit but for a few members, such as Pieret, who left France.

From The Daily Beast

This development has not been embraced by everyone in her tight-knit Orthodox community.

From The Daily Beast

Born in the Hessian village of Rhina in 1916, Friedel was the youngest of 16 close-knit siblings and first cousins.

From The Daily Beast

Brief as was this interchange of politenesses, it sufficed to knit together the souls of the seaman and the small boy.

From Project Gutenberg

Their complexion is a light bronze, stunted in stature, well-knit, and about the middle size.

From Project Gutenberg

And there coming rapidly across from the Comptoir National was the well knit figure of the young man from Atlanta.

From Project Gutenberg

The women knit her a pair of stockings or a shawl, and the Queen delights them by accepting their presents.

From Project Gutenberg

White wool—Knit a row, decreasing it by taking the first two stitches together, and the last two.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bind
• crochet
• fasten
• mend
• sew
• unite
• weave