knockout

[ nok-out ]

/ ˈnɒkˌaʊt /

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See synonyms for knockout on Thesaurus.com

noun

an act or instance of knocking out.

the state or fact of being knocked out.

a knockout blow.

Informal. a person or thing overwhelmingly attractive, appealing, or successful.

a panel in a casing, can, or box, especially of metal or plastic, so designed that it can readily be removed, as by punching, hammering, or cutting, to provide an opening into the interior: a knockout in a junction box.

Machinery. a device for knocking something loose, as finished work from a lathe chuck.

adjective

that knocks out: the knockout punch.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of knockout

1810–20; 1935–40 for def. 4; noun, adj. use of verb phrase knock out

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use knockout in a sentence

Really, is it any wonder that fluoride should freak people out?
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
For a while yoga and pilates classes were sought out at luxury gyms like Equinox.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
On Thursday, Garcetti ruled himself out of the race to succeed Boxer.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races|David Freedlander|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Police officials told the AP that they came out with guns blazing.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers|Nico Hines|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST

“I think for trans men who are dating every time they hook up they have another coming out,” Sandler said.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And he was gone, and out of sight on the swift galloping Benito, before Father Gaspara bethought himself.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
Most of the men leaped up, caught hold of spears or knives, and rushed out.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
Liszt looked at it, and to her fright and dismay cried out in a fit of impatience, "No, I won't hear it!"
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
The most High hath created medicines out of the earth, and a wise man will not abhor them.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Squinty could look out, but the slats were as close together as those in a chicken coop, and the little pig could not get out.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum

British Dictionary definitions for knockout

knockout

/ (ˈnɒkˌaʊt) /

noun

the act of rendering unconscious

a blow that renders an opponent unconscious

a competition in which competitors are eliminated progressively
(as modifier)a knockout contest

a series of absurd invented games, esp obstacle races, involving physical effort or skill

informal a person or thing that is overwhelmingly impressive or attractiveshe's a knockout

verb knock out (tr, adverb)

to render unconscious, esp by a blow

boxing to defeat (an opponent) by a knockout

to destroy, damage, or injure badly

to eliminate, esp in a knockout competition

informal to overwhelm or amaze, esp with admiration or favourable reactionI was knocked out by that new song

to remove the ashes from (one's pipe) by tapping

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with knockout

knock out

Also, knock out cold. Render unconscious by a blow or some other means. For example, It was just a swinging door, but it knocked her out, or Just one of those sleeping pills can knock you out cold. [Late 1500s]

Make tired, exhaust, as in That sightseeing tour knocked me out.

Render useless or inoperative, as in The storm knocked out the power.

See knock off, def. 2.

See knock oneself out.

knockout

Origin of knockout

Words related to knockout

How to use knockout in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for knockout

Other Idioms and Phrases with knockout