kukri

American  

[kook-ree] / ˈkʊk ri /

noun

1. a large knife having a heavy curved blade that is sharp on the concave side, used by the Napalese Gurkhas for hunting and combat.

---

kukri British  

/ ˈkʊkrɪ /

noun

1. a knife with a curved blade that broadens towards the point, esp as used by Gurkhas

---

Etymology

Origin of kukri

First recorded in 1805–15, kukri is from the Hindi word kukṛī

Compare meaning

How does kukri compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• kukri vs. machete

Example Sentences

A kukri is a short sword with an angled blade that originated in South Asia.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 9, 2023

Eventually the man selected by fate drew from a load a large Gourkha kukri, and removed its scabbard.

From In the Forbidden Land by Landor, Arnold Henry Savage

There is nothing particular about the knife—an ordinary Bhojâl kukri.

From Carlyon Sahib by Murray, Gilbert

All the men and some of the women are armed with the kukri, a heavy-bladed weapon or knife of singular shape. 

From A Journey to Katmandu (the Capital of Napaul), with The Camp of Jung Bahadoor; including A Sketch of the Nepaulese Ambassador at Home by Oliphant, Laurence

If he is a good shot, and expert with his kukri and kora, so much the better for him. 

From A Journey to Katmandu (the Capital of Napaul), with The Camp of Jung Bahadoor; including A Sketch of the Nepaulese Ambassador at Home by Oliphant, Laurence