Knuckle: meaning, definitions and examples

👊

Add to dictionary

knuckle

[ ˈnʌkəl ]

^{Context #1}

anatomy

A joint of a finger when the fist is closed.

Synonyms

joint

Examples of usage

She cracked her knuckles before starting to type.
He rapped his knuckles on the table to get her attention.

^{Context #2}

informal

A hard part of the body, especially a bone in the hand.

Synonyms

bone, joint

Examples of usage

He rapped his knuckles on the table to get her attention.
The boxer landed a punch right on his opponent's knuckles.

^{Context #3}

action

To hit or tap someone or something with the knuckles.

Synonyms

strike, tap

Examples of usage

He knuckled the door to signal that he was waiting outside.
She knuckled her brother playfully on the head.

Translations

Translations of the word "knuckle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 articulação do dedo

🇮🇳 गांठ

🇩🇪 Knöchel

🇮🇩 buku jari

🇺🇦 суглоб пальця

🇵🇱 knykieć

🇯🇵 指の関節

🇫🇷 articulation du doigt

🇪🇸 nudillo

🇹🇷 parmak eklemi

🇰🇷 손가락 관절

🇸🇦 مفصل الإصبع

🇨🇿 kloub prstu

🇸🇰 kĺb prsta

🇨🇳 指关节

🇸🇮 prstni sklep

🇮🇸 kjúka

🇰🇿 буын

🇬🇪 თითი სახსარი

🇦🇿 barmaq oynağı

🇲🇽 nudillo

Word origin

The word 'knuckle' originated from the Middle English word 'knokel', which in turn came from the Old English word 'cnucel'. The original meaning was 'the round prominence at the joint of a finger'. Over time, the word evolved to refer to the joints themselves, particularly in the fingers. The verb form 'knuckle' likely came from the action of knocking on a surface with the knuckles. The word has been in use for centuries to describe these hand-related anatomical features and actions.