knit

American  

[nit] / nɪt /

verb (used with object)

knitted, knit, knitting

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 bytogether ).

   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.

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verb (used without object)

knitted, knit, knitting

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.

knit British  

/ 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

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noun

1. 1. a fabric or garment made by knitting

   2. ( in combination )

      a heavy knit

Other Word Forms

• knittable adjective
• knitter noun
• preknit verb (used with object)preknit, preknitted, preknitting
• reknit verbreknit, reknitted, reknitting

Etymology

Origin of knit

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

Example Sentences

When Vernice tries to persuade Annie to aim higher, she is reproached by her friend: “Stop acting like me and you knit with the same needles.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

At Milan Fashion Week on Thursday, the Prada show opened with cozy knit sweaters and multi-coloured scarves, only for garments to be ripped open, exposed and distressed as the catwalk continued.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

She’s dedicated to keeping her community closely knit and protected.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026

Imagine a 21st century take on Margaret Mead befriending Samoans, only with cozy knit sweaters and a dash of animation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

The door opened, and the blonde in the photograph—all smiles—waltzed in, wearing a pink sweater with a pattern of snowflakes knit into it, and her hair tied back with a pink ribbon.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

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