knobby

[ nob-ee ]

adjective

, knob·bi·er, knob·bi·est.

1. full of or covered with knobs:

   the knobby trunk of a tree.

2. shaped like a knob.

ˈknobby

/ ˈnɒbɪ /

adjective

1. having or covered with small knobs; knobbly

Other Words From

• knobbi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of knobby¹

First recorded in 1535–45; knob + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“That’s good,” he said, before pointing a knobby finger at me.

From Slate

The tree has the look of an ancient thing — knobby and gnarled and thick, so thick and tall it appeared at times like several oaks stacked on top of one another.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of these descendants make up what's known as the adaptive immune system: highly specialized B and T lymphocytes that each recognize just one particular three-dimensional structure -- perhaps a pointy bit here or a telltale knobby clump there -- that betrays an invading virus or bacteria.

From Science Daily

On a recent drive north of Sacramento, I spotted a row of knobby peaks that looked more like a children’s book illustration than real-life mountains.

From New York Times

The boy is tall and lanky, with knobby knees poking out of his shorts and messy dark brown hair.

From Literature