knockoff
Americannoun
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an act or instance of knocking off.
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an unlicensed copy of something, especially fashion clothing, intended to be sold at a lower price than the original.
Etymology
Origin of knockoff
First recorded in 1870–75, for an earlier sense; noun use of verb phrase knock off
Explanation
A knockoff is a cheaply made copy of something. You can be pretty sure those Air Jordan sneakers are knockoffs if they only cost you ten dollars. Anything fake that looks almost exactly like the authentic version is a knockoff, from knockoff designer handbags to collectible baseball cards to prescription medication. You can also call these imitation goods counterfeits, like a painting that sells for a million dollars only to be revealed as a Monet knockoff. The goal of those who produce knockoffs is almost always to fool shoppers into thinking they're buying the real thing.
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.
Novo officially dropped Hims in June and accused the company of “deceptive promotion and selling of illegitimate, knockoff versions of Wegovy that put patient safety at risk.”
From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026
“Everyone sends me photos of knockoff ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ dolls from across the border,” Jimenez says laughing.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026
Estée Lauder EL 2.32%increase; green up pointing triangle has filed a lawsuit against Walmart WMT -1.80%decrease; red down pointing triangle alleging the retailer sold knockoff versions of some of cosmetics company’s fragrances and skin-care products.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026
Hims & Hers Health stock dropped after Novo Nordisk filed a lawsuit to ban the sale of knockoff versions of Ozempic and Wegovy.
From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026
The lady flashes a smile like she’s selling knockoff goods and knows it.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
