knife

[ nahyf ]

noun

, plural knives [nahyvz].

1. an instrument for cutting, consisting essentially of a thin, sharp-edged, metal blade fitted with a handle.
2. a knifelike weapon; dagger or short sword.
3. any blade for cutting, as in a tool or machine.

verb (used with object)

, knifed, knif·ing.

1. to apply a knife to; cut, stab, etc., with a knife.
2. to attempt to defeat or undermine in a secret or underhanded way.

verb (used without object)

, knifed, knif·ing.

1. to move or cleave through something with or as if with a knife:

   The ship knifed through the heavy seas.

knife

/ naɪf /

noun

1. a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp-edged often pointed blade of metal fitted into a handle or onto a machine
2. a similar instrument used as a weapon
3. have one's knife in someone
   to have a grudge against or victimize someone
4. twist the knife
   to make a bad situation worse in a deliberately malicious way
5. the knives are out for someone
   people are determined to harm or put a stop to someone

   the knives are out for Stevens

6. under the knife
   undergoing a surgical operation

verb

1. to cut, stab, or kill with a knife
2. to betray, injure, or depose in an underhand way

Derived Forms

• ˈknifeˌlike, adjective
• ˈknifer, noun

Other Words From

• knifelike adjective
• knifer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of knife¹

before 1100; Middle English knif, Old English cnīf; cognate with Dutch knijf, German Kneif, Old Norse knīfr

Word History and Origins

Origin of knife¹

Old English cnīf; related to Old Norse knīfr, Middle Low German knīf

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. under the knife, in surgery; undergoing a medical operation:

   The patient was under the knife for four hours.

More idioms and phrases containing knife

see at gunpoint (knifepoint) ; under the knife ; you could cut it with a knife .

Example Sentences

The Home Office underestimated how many zombie knives and machetes would be surrendered ahead of a recent ban, documents show.

From BBC

When deputies confronted him, he was holding a 12-inch kitchen knife and screamed at deputies to shoot him, according to body camera footage taken at the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

“People who have been watching closely and feel like the race is on a knife’s edge are anxious to see this one get called,” said Paul Mitchell, whose firm Political Data, Inc. tracks voter trends.

From Los Angeles Times

These have yet to be defined, but are likely to include reducing knife crime and violence against women and girls - which Labour made high-profile promises to halve within a decade ahead of July's election.

From BBC

The riots broke out after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a children's dance event in Southport, and subsequent misinformation the suspect was an asylum seeker.

From BBC