knuckle
Americannoun
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knuckles
plural
-
a joint of a finger, especially one of the articulations of a metacarpal with a phalanx.
-
the rounded prominence of such a joint when the finger is bent.
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a joint of meat, consisting of the parts about the carpal or tarsal joint of a quadruped.
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an angle or protrusion at the intersection of two members or surfaces, as in the timbers of a ship or in a roof.
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a cylindrical projecting part on a hinge, through which an axis or pin passes; the joint of a hinge.
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(in a wire mesh) a bend in a wire crossing another wire.
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(on a chair arm) one of the ridges left at the front end by longitudinal flutes carved to accommodate the fingers.
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Nautical. a pronounced edge formed by a change in the form of the shell of a hull.
verb (used with object)
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knuckles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
knuckled,
past participle, past
-
knuckling
present participle
-
to rub or press with the knuckles.
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Marbles. to shoot (a marble) from the thumb and forefinger.
verb phrase
noun
-
a joint of a finger, esp that connecting a finger to the hand
-
a joint of veal, pork, etc, consisting of the part of the leg below the knee joint, often used in making stews or stock
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the cylindrical portion of a hinge through which the pin passes
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an angle joint between two members of a structure
-
informal approaching indecency
verb
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(tr) to rub or press with the knuckles
-
(intr) to keep the knuckles on the ground while shooting a marble
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
knucklesimple
-
knucklessimple
-
have knuckledperfect
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has knuckledperfect
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am knucklingprogressive
-
are knucklingprogressive
-
is knucklingprogressive
-
have been knucklingperfect progressive
-
has been knucklingperfect progressive
Past
-
knuckledsimple
-
had knuckledperfect
-
was knucklingprogressive
-
were knucklingprogressive
-
had been knucklingperfect progressive
Future
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; see -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."
Vocabulary lists containing knuckle
"LAFFF"
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"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 11
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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.
See Examples For:
An early riser who starts many mornings with knuckle push-ups and stair climbing, Foran, 65, is often at the office by 6 a.m.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Then Rushing again ambushed the first pitch — a knuckle curve on the inside edge — and drove it off the right-field wall.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
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
Around October and November 2022, Kohberger had injuries including a scratch on his face and knuckle wounds, the teaching assistant told police.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2025
He sniffed again, and rubbed his nose with his knuckle.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
The vice president’s words sound good — like a rap on the knuckles of the tech billionaires who can’t stop claiming they’re building doomsday devices.
From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2026
Mr. Ferguson seems less concerned now that the FTC is using its knuckles to chill private speech.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026
The gloves are weathered and white, their brightness dulled by the decades, with the brand name “reusch” across the knuckles and a big, plum-colored sun on top.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2026
David Cameron was rapped on the knuckles when he claimed the late queen "purred" down the phone line when he told her the result of the Scottish referendum.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2025
Benji cracked his knuckles and got back to work.
From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty
Yet, when faced with adversity, Adams never knuckled up for any fights on principle, choosing only to take the easiest and most comfortable way out.
From Slate ● Sep. 29, 2025
However the pair simply knuckled down and went back to work, with gigs and releasing music.
From BBC ● May 3, 2025
Asked if it had knuckled on Outman, Marte was sympathetic.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2023
When it came, he read the puck and deflected it with the shaft of his stick, then watched as it knuckled past Shesterkin to make it 1-0 at 4:25.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 25, 2023
Spearmen at each gate knuckled their foreheads at Jon Snow but stared openly at Val and her garron.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Writing for the Sun on Sunday, Starmer described the strategy as "the most ambitious yet honest delivery plan in a generation" as the government was "knuckling down" on delivering its election promises.
From BBC ● Dec. 1, 2024
Fowler scored his career-best 43rd point with a goal in the first period on a knuckling shot that threaded a path among three Anaheim teammates.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 24, 2023
But later, Kuemper used his blocker to bat away a knuckling puck from Hall during four-on-four play early in the third.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 11, 2023
Vancouver added on late in the period when Jake Middleton sent a clearing attempt right to Hughes, whose knuckling shot from the point bounced off the ice and beat Reimer.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 17, 2022
“I saw someone sailing away from Penikese,” I said, knuckling Mouse behind her ears.
From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk
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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.
