noun

knife

NYF

noun

A tool with a flat, usually metal blade sharpened along one edge and fixed to a handle, used for cutting.

"She sliced the bread with a bread knife."

"Always keep your kitchen knives sharp — a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one."

verb

To stab or cut someone with a knife.

"He was knifed in the arm during the scuffle."

To betray someone, especially a political ally.

"Party insiders accused him of knifing his own leader before the vote."

How to Use Knife

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA bladed cutting tool, or, as a verb, to stab someone — or, figuratively, to betray them.

Common pairings

a sharp knife knife someone knife and fork a kitchen knife

knyfe noun form, knyfe noun form, knifed past tense, knives plural, knifes singular, knive verb form, knive verb form

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She sliced the bread with a bread _____.

From Old Norse knífr, related to a Germanic root meaning "to pinch."

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