Knuckle: meaning, definitions and examples

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knuckle

[ ˈnʌkəl ]

Noun / Verb

^{Context #1 | Noun}

anatomy

A joint of a finger when the fist is closed.

Synonyms

joint.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
knuckle	Refers to the joints in your fingers where the bones meet. Commonly used in a more physical or anatomical context. He cracked his knuckles before starting the test The bruise on his knuckle was painful
joint	Generally refers to a point where two things are connected, in a broader sense beyond just anatomy. It can also be used informally to refer to a place, like a restaurant or bar. The knee joint is one of the most important parts of the body They decided to grab a bite at the corner joint

Word

Description / Examples

knuckle

Refers to the joints in your fingers where the bones meet. Commonly used in a more physical or anatomical context.

He cracked his knuckles before starting the test
The bruise on his knuckle was painful

joint

Generally refers to a point where two things are connected, in a broader sense beyond just anatomy. It can also be used informally to refer to a place, like a restaurant or bar.

The knee joint is one of the most important parts of the body
They decided to grab a bite at the corner 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 | Noun}

informal

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

Synonyms

bone, joint.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
knuckle	Often used when describing the joints in your fingers, particularly where the fingers meet the hand. It can also refer to the act of hitting someone or something with the knuckles. She cracked her knuckles before beginning to type. He bruised his knuckle punching the wall.
bone	Used to talk about any of the pieces of hard, whitish tissue making up the skeleton in humans and other vertebrates. It is a general term. He broke a bone in his arm during the fall. Bones are essential for supporting the body's structure.
joint	Can refer to the location where two bones meet in the body, allowing for movement. It can also have various other meanings, including a place or establishment (informal), or a marijuana cigarette (slang, and potentially negative). She felt pain in her knee joint whenever it rained. Let's meet at that new joint downtown for dinner. He was caught with a joint and faced legal trouble.

Word

Description / Examples

knuckle

Often used when describing the joints in your fingers, particularly where the fingers meet the hand. It can also refer to the act of hitting someone or something with the knuckles.

She cracked her knuckles before beginning to type.
He bruised his knuckle punching the wall.

bone

Used to talk about any of the pieces of hard, whitish tissue making up the skeleton in humans and other vertebrates. It is a general term.

He broke a bone in his arm during the fall.
Bones are essential for supporting the body's structure.

joint

Can refer to the location where two bones meet in the body, allowing for movement. It can also have various other meanings, including a place or establishment (informal), or a marijuana cigarette (slang, and potentially negative).

She felt pain in her knee joint whenever it rained.
Let's meet at that new joint downtown for dinner.
He was caught with a joint and faced legal trouble.

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 | Verb}

action

To hit or tap someone or something with the knuckles.

Synonyms

strike, tap.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
knuckle	Refers to the joints of the fingers, particularly when making a fist or when the joints are protruding. Can also be used metaphorically, often to describe a situation requiring toughness or resilience. He cracked his knuckles before starting the task It's time to knuckle down and finish the project
tap	Indicates a gentle or light touch, often to get someone's attention or to create a soft sound. Used in situations requiring subtlety or delicacy. She tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention I heard a tap on the window late at night
strike	Implies hitting something or someone with force, or the occurrence of a deliberate action to cause an impact. Often used in contexts involving deliberate physical or metaphorical actions. The boxer aimed to strike his opponent with precision Workers decided to strike for better working conditions

Word

Description / Examples

knuckle

Refers to the joints of the fingers, particularly when making a fist or when the joints are protruding. Can also be used metaphorically, often to describe a situation requiring toughness or resilience.

He cracked his knuckles before starting the task
It's time to knuckle down and finish the project

tap

Indicates a gentle or light touch, often to get someone's attention or to create a soft sound. Used in situations requiring subtlety or delicacy.

She tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention
I heard a tap on the window late at night

strike

Implies hitting something or someone with force, or the occurrence of a deliberate action to cause an impact. Often used in contexts involving deliberate physical or metaphorical actions.

The boxer aimed to strike his opponent with precision
Workers decided to strike for better working conditions

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

Etymology

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.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,420, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
20417 clout
20418 insemination
20419 internationalism
20420 knuckle
20421 partaking
20422 rearrange
20423 disagreeing
...