knuckle

[ nuhk-uhl ]

/ ˈnʌk əl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: knuckle / knuckles on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

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

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

brass knuckles.

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

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

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

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

verb (used with object), knuck·led, knuck·ling.

to rub or press with the knuckles.

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

Verb Phrases

knuckle down,

to apply oneself vigorously and earnestly; become serious: Just knuckle down for an hour or so and finish the work.
Also knuckle under. to submit; yield.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

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.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

OTHER WORDS FROM knuckle

knuckly, adjective

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

How to use knuckle in a sentence

The soldier launches into a comical strut and pretends to polish his guard box with his knuckles.
Hunt To Identify Pirouetting 'Bearskin' Guardsman Who Shamed Army|Tom Sykes|September 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ray seemed to understand immediately and said “Yeah,” offering his knuckles.
The Stacks: The Judas Priest Teen Suicide Trial|Ivan Solotaroff|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Craig Dershowitz spent $60,000 fighting for the return of his dog Knuckles after an acrimonious breakup with his girlfriend.
Divorce Is Going to the Dogs, Literally|Keli Goff|June 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Subject has athletic build, calloused knuckles, broken nose – characteristics of martial arts practitioners.
Russia Tells ‘Tourists’ How to Go Fight in Ukraine|Oleg Shynkarenko|April 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He turned the page and ran his fingerless knuckles down the closely-written columns.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mademoiselle snatched it from the hand, which was very tiny, and pink, with dimples where grown up folk have knuckles.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
Aristide, however, went up to the door; as there was neither knocker nor bell, he rapped with his knuckles.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Marius, without further heeding him, stepped to mademoiselle's door and rapped on a panel with brisk knuckles.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
She shrank back, her hands locking themselves one in the other till the knuckles showed white.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Mike could push his knuckles hard into the faces of people who owed him money, and he'd never even be arrested.
The Man from Time|Frank Belknap Long

British Dictionary definitions for knuckle

knuckle

/ (ˈnʌkəl) /

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

the cylindrical portion of a hinge through which the pin passes

an angle joint between two members of a structure

near the knuckle informal approaching indecency

verb

(tr) to rub or press with the knuckles

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

Derived forms of knuckle

knuckly, adjective

Word Origin for knuckle

C14: related to Middle High German knöchel, Middle Low German knoke bone, Dutch knok

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 knuckle

knuckle

In addition to the idioms beginning with knuckle

knuckle down
knuckle under

also see:

rap someone's knuckles

knuckle

Origin of knuckle

OTHER WORDS FROM knuckle

Words related to knuckle

How to use knuckle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for knuckle

Derived forms of knuckle

Word Origin for knuckle

Other Idioms and Phrases with knuckle