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

• ˈknittable, adjective
• ˈknitter, noun

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

And so, she feels her only choice is to spirit a knitting needle into a public bathhouse, to attempt to self-inflict as much damage as possible to rid herself of this problem.

From Los Angeles Times

He knits everything together and he is the reason they are going on a bit of a run.

From BBC

Jennie Booth stands in the 7,000sq ft stock room and says new sites like this shake off the image of charity shops having "little old ladies doing their knitting behind the counter".

From BBC

He has that incredible awareness and understanding that allows him to knit everything together, and Arsenal will need that against Forest.

From BBC

The Justice Department has also sued Google over its dominance in advertising technology, and Apple for making it difficult for consumers to leave its tightly knit universe of devices and software.

From New York Times

Related Words

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