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knob

American  
[nob] / nɒb /

noun

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

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

  3. Architecture. an ornamental boss, as of carved work.

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


verb (used with object)

knobbed, knobbing
  1. to produce a knob on.

  2. to furnish with a knob.

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

knob British  
/ nɒb /

noun

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

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

  3. a round hill or knoll or morainic ridge

  4. taboo a slang word for penis

  5. informal the same to you but even more so

"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

verb

  1. (tr) to supply or ornament with knobs

  2. (intr) to form into a knob; bulge

  3. taboo to have sexual intercourse with (someone)

"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
knob Scientific  
/ nŏb /
  1. A prominent, rounded hill or mountain.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of knob

1350–1400; Middle English knobbe < Middle Low German

Explanation

You can use the word knob for any bump or bulge, like the egg-shaped knob on your head after you bumped it on the door knob. Along the same likes as a bulging lump or protuberance, a knob is also a handle that juts out and is round shaped. The knobs on your dresser might be glass or porcelain, while the knobs on your kitchen cabinets could be made of chrome. There are also the knobs, or controls, on your old fashioned TV or radio, and the knob that's basically a lump or hunk, like a knob of butter.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A statement on the Knob Throwing website said: "After a challenging period marked by growth, venue shifts and the pandemic, we're thrilled to announce our partnership with a prestigious new host for 2024."

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2024

In a full embrace of the singer, civil leaders erected a statue of Bennett outside the Fairmont Hotel atop Knob Hill as a 90th birthday present.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2023

Carroll Franklin Cooley was born on Aug. 25, 1935, in Bald Knob, Ark. With the Great Depression luring people west for opportunities, he soon moved with his family to Phoenix.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2023

Here at Red Knob Farm, and every other dairy farm in the world, the milk is white.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 27, 2023

Ishmael turned west on Indian Knob Hill Road, and they passed the Masuis’ strawberry fields and then the Thorsens’ milk cow barn and Patsy Larsen’s chicken houses.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

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