knave

[ neyv ]

noun

1. an unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest person.

   Synonyms: scapegrace, scamp, villain, blackguard

2. Cards. jack ¹( def 2 ).
3. Archaic.
   1. a male servant.
   2. a man of humble position.

knave

/ neɪv /

noun

1. archaic.
   a dishonest man; rogue
2. another word for jack 1
3. obsolete.
   a male servant

Derived Forms

• ˈknavish, adjective
• ˈknavishness, noun
• ˈknavishly, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of knave¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English cnafa; cognate with German Knabe “boy”; akin to Old Norse knapi “page, boy”

Word History and Origins

Origin of knave¹

Old English cnafa; related to Old High German knabo boy

Synonym Study

Knave, rascal, rogue, scoundrel are disparaging terms applied to persons considered base, dishonest, or worthless. Knave, which formerly meant merely a boy or servant, in modern use emphasizes baseness of nature and intention: a dishonest and swindling knave. Rascal suggests shrewdness and trickery in dishonesty: a plausible rascal. A rogue is a worthless fellow who sometimes preys extensively upon the community by fraud: photographs of criminals in a rogues' gallery. A scoundrel is a blackguard and rogue of the worst sort: a thorough scoundrel. Rascal and rogue are often used affectionately or humorously ( an entertaining rascal; a saucy rogue ), but knave and scoundrel are not.

Example Sentences

There were several Smothers Brothers albums in our house — “Mom Always Liked You Best,” “Hold Your Tongue, Knave,” “It Must Have Been Something I Said!” — whose grooves were worn down to nothing and whose routines were burned into memory.

From Los Angeles Times

The 59-year-old star recently read A Kestrel for a Knave, the book that inspired the 1969 film, for BBC Four.

From BBC

For George Wickham, the infamous knave of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” 30 years has furnished ample opportunity to live plenty of lives.

From New York Times

The late Renaissance came to life in knave overalls with blousy tops, sequined skirts that suggested chain mail armor and tapestry detailing on jacket sleeves.

From Seattle Times

She called the South Korean president “a knave who talks about ‘bold plan’ today and stages anti-north war exercises tomorrow.”

From Washington Post