knuckle

American  

[nuhk-uhl] / ˈnʌk əl /

noun

1. a joint of a finger, especially one of the articulations of a metacarpal with a phalanx.

2. the rounded prominence of such a joint when the finger is bent.

3. a joint of meat, consisting of the parts about the carpal or tarsal joint of a quadruped.

4. an angle or protrusion at the intersection of two members or surfaces, as in the timbers of a ship or in a roof.

5. brass knuckles.

6. a cylindrical projecting part on a hinge, through which an axis or pin passes; the joint of a hinge.

7. (in a wire mesh) a bend in a wire crossing another wire.

8. (on a chair arm) one of the ridges left at the front end by longitudinal flutes carved to accommodate the fingers.

9. Nautical. a pronounced edge formed by a change in the form of the shell of a hull.

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verb (used with object)

knuckled, knuckling

1. to rub or press with the knuckles.

2. Marbles. to shoot (a marble) from the thumb and forefinger.

verb phrase

1. knuckle down

   1. to apply oneself vigorously and earnestly; become serious.

      Just knuckle down for an hour or so and finish the work.

   2. Also knuckle under. to submit; yield.

knuckle British  

/ ˈnʌkəl /

noun

1. a joint of a finger, esp that connecting a finger to the hand

2. a joint of veal, pork, etc, consisting of the part of the leg below the knee joint, often used in making stews or stock

3. the cylindrical portion of a hinge through which the pin passes

4. an angle joint between two members of a structure

5. informal approaching indecency

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verb

1. (tr) to rub or press with the knuckles

2. (intr) to keep the knuckles on the ground while shooting a marble

knuckle Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing knuckle

• rap someone's knuckles

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Other Word Forms

• knuckly adjective

Etymology

Origin of knuckle

1325–75; Middle English knokel (akin to Dutch kneukel, German Knöchel ), diminutive of a word represented by Dutch knok, German Knochen bone; -le

Explanation

Your knuckles are the joints in your fingers that are farthest from your fingernails. When you clench your hand into a fist, your knuckles are especially prominent. A knuckle is the part of your hand that makes it possible to move a finger freely, and if someone offers you a "knuckle sandwich," you should politely decline, since they're actually planning to make a fist and punch you in the mouth. To knuckle is to rub with the knuckles, like when you knuckle a bit of sand out of your eye. The root of knuckle is the Proto-Germanic knuk-, "bone."

Example Sentences

This kit includes everything you need to make eight luxurious rolls: two pounds of Maine knuckle and claw meat, eight open-top buns, a half-pint of lemony mayo, and the butter to toast the rolls in.

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2025

"Guys, I just got poked knuckle deep in the eyeball. Why are you booing? I can't see," said a crestfallen Aspinall.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2025

“This step up in tensions has created a white knuckle moment for the markets with tech stocks under major pressure,” Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives wrote to clients on Friday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 11, 2025

It scrapes the top of one knuckle, does a bit of a dive to the second knuckle … and then scoots along.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025

“Look,” said Rasheed, tapping a knuckle on the glass.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

Related Words

• bow
• break down
• buckle
• capitulate
• cave in
• cease
• defer
• give in
• give way
• go down
• pass away
• perish
• quit
• wilt
• yield