white knight
Americannoun
-
a hero who comes to the rescue.
-
a beleaguered champion who fights heroically for a cause, as in politics.
-
Informal. a company that comes to the rescue of another, as to prevent a takeover.
noun
Usage
What else does white knight mean? In internet slang, a white knight is a man who comes to the unsolicited defense of a woman online, in the hopes of romantic or sexual favor. A white knight can also more generally refer to someone who rushes to the defense of another online, usually a person whose actions aren’t seen as worthy of defense. How is white knight pronounced?[ wahyt nahyt ]What are some other forms of white knight?white-knightingWhat are some other words related to white knight?
- nice guy
- mansplain
Etymology
Origin of white knight
First recorded in 1890–95
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.
Despite endless questions about the future, they still had a tournament to host, and LIV Golf's white knight was in town - "the investor", as he was most frequently described.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
Given its size advantage, Chubb probably can buy AIG if it wants, though if deal talks did develop, it is possible that AIG could look to a white knight in Berkshire Hathaway.
From Barron's ● Dec. 13, 2025
Ironically, Sony was Zee’s white knight then and its merger deal helped calm down Invesco, which has since pared most of its stake in the Indian company.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 29, 2024
At rallies, protests and news conferences, in newspaper advertisements and on social media, the foundation has billed itself as a white knight in the battle against homelessness.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2023
He chose the flavors: wild cherry for the black pawn and peppermint for the white knight.
From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan
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.
