knob

[ nob ]

/ nɒb /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR knob ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a projecting part, usually rounded, forming the handle of a door, drawer, or the like.

a rounded lump or protuberance on the surface or at the end of something, as a knot on a tree trunk.

Architecture. an ornamental boss, as of carved work.

a rounded hill, mountain, or elevation on a ridge.

verb (used with object), knobbed, knob·bing.

to produce a knob on.

to furnish with a knob.

(in stone cutting) to knock off (excess stone) preparatory to dressing; knobble; skiffle.

Nearby words

Origin of knob

1350–1400; Middle English knobbe < Middle Low German

Related formsknob·like, adjective

Can be confusedknob nob

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for knob

Then, after carefully replacing the knob, it could be left there undetected.
The High Society Bank Robber of the 1800s|J. North Conway|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it was still the place where Kandynce did not need eyesight to find a door or a drawer or a knob.
Killed by Donald Sterling’s Racism|Michael Daly|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Hank comes home and has a little sip of the Knob Creek--it was in that scene.
Dean Norris Deconstructs “Breaking Bad’s” Hank Schrader|Andrew Romano|September 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Terrified, she and her son cried as the man tried to turn the knob of the door where they hid.
Zimmerman’s Twin Lakes Community Was on Edge Before Trayvon Shooting|Amy Green|March 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The numbers back up what I heard at places like the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot.
The Real Power Behind the Tea Party|Will Bunch|September 13, 2010|DAILY BEAST
He grasped the knob, turned it and quickly threw the door open.
The Passing of Ku Sui|Anthony Gilmore
When he reached the front door he just grabbed hold of the knob, twisted it, shoved open the door and barged right inside.
Dave Dawson on the Russian Front|R. Sidney Bowen
She rose and, holding her letter to her bosom, closed her eyes and stood with a hand on the knob.
In the Heart of a Fool|William Allen White
First Sybil went and hung a towel over the knob of the lock, so as to darken the key-hole of the door guarded by Purley.
Cruel As The Grave|Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth
"Keep it here for me until I see how long I'm to be away," answered Lloyd, her hand upon the knob.
A Man's Woman|Frank Norris

British Dictionary definitions for knob

knob

/ (nɒb) /

noun

a rounded projection from a surface, such as a lump on a tree trunk

a handle of a door, drawer, etc, esp one that is rounded

a round hill or knoll or morainic ridge

British taboo a slang word for penis

and the same to you with knobs on or and the same to you with brass knobs on British informal the same to you but even more so

verb knobs, knobbing or knobbed

(tr) to supply or ornament with knobs

(intr) to form into a knob; bulge

British taboo to have sexual intercourse with (someone)

Derived Formsknobby, adjectiveknoblike, adjective

Word Origin for knob

C14: from Middle Low German knobbe knot in wood; see knop

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for knob

knob

late 14c., knobe, probably from a Scandinavian or German source (cf. Middle Low German knobbe "knob," Middle Dutch cnoppe, Dutch knop, Old Frisian knopp, knapp, Old High German knopf, German Knopf "button," Old Norse knyfill "short horn"). Meaning "knoll, isolated round hill" is first recorded 1640s, especially in U.S.