knockabout
Americannoun
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Nautical. any of various fore-and-aft-rigged sailing vessels having a single jib bent to a stay from the stemhead, no bowsprit being used: usually rigged as a sloop.
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something designed or suitable for rough or casual use, as a sturdy jacket, a secondhand car, etc.
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a slapstick comedian or comedy.
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Australian. an itinerant farm hand or ranch hand; an itinerant handyman.
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British Archaic. wanderer.
adjective
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suitable for rough use, as a garment.
a knockabout jacket and jeans.
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characterized by knocking about; rough; boisterous.
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slapstick.
knockabout comedy.
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shiftless; aimless.
a knockabout kind of person.
Etymology
Origin of knockabout
First recorded in 1875–80; noun, adj. use of verb phrase knock about
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.
His adaptation maintains a knockabout, almost farcical pace.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026
It’s sweet and serious, and as the series goes on, knockabout comedy makes room for poignancy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024
Prince Harry has appeared in a knockabout comedy sketch about getting a tattoo, as he promotes the next round of his Invictus Games.
From BBC ● Nov. 19, 2024
But Raiff sends Andrew on what turns out to be an unexpected journey that makes its way to its own version of a happy ending with tenderness, warmth and knockabout wit.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 15, 2022
Like we was old knockabout friends of the streets.
From "The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
