knob

C2 Topic:Register & Style

US /nɑb/ UK /nɒb/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like nab /æ/ vs /ɑ/

Freq #11104

Meanings

1

noun
a rounded handle on a door, drawer, lid, or similar object

She turned the brass knob and pushed the door open.
2

noun
a round control that is turned to adjust a machine or device

Turn the volume knob clockwise to make the music louder.
3

noun
a rounded projection, lump, or thickened part

A small knob of bone was visible beneath the skin.
4

noun
British informal, insulting: a foolish or unpleasant person

Ignore him; he is being a complete knob.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a rounded handle on a door,... handle grip

2 noun · a round control that is... dial control

3 noun · a rounded projection, lump,... boss bump protuberance

4 noun · british informal,... idiot fool jerk

Word family

Derived forms doorknobknobbedknobbyknoblike

Related forms handle dial pommel button

Etymology

From Middle English knobbe, 'a rounded lump or knot,' probably borrowed from or related to Middle Low German knobbe. It belongs to a Germanic group of kn- words for rounded projections, knots, and buttons, including German Knopf and Dutch knop. The insulting British slang sense developed from the word's vulgar anatomical use.

Topics

External links

# knob

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /nɑb/
**IPA (UK):** /nɒb/
**Frequency rank:** 11104

## Meanings
1. a rounded handle on a door, drawer, lid, or similar object
2. a round control that is turned to adjust a machine or device
3. a rounded projection, lump, or thickened part
4. British informal, insulting: a foolish or unpleasant person

## Examples
- She turned the brass knob and pushed the door open.
- Turn the volume knob clockwise to make the music louder.
- A small knob of bone was visible beneath the skin.
- Ignore him; he is being a complete knob.

## Synonyms
- handle
- dial
- control
- boss
- bump
- idiot

## Derived Forms
- doorknob
- knobbed
- knobby
- knoblike

## Related Forms
- handle
- dial
- pommel
- button

## Etymology
From Middle English knobbe, 'a rounded lump or knot,' probably borrowed from or related to Middle Low German knobbe. It belongs to a Germanic group of kn- words for rounded projections, knots, and buttons, including German Knopf and Dutch knop. The insulting British slang sense developed from the word's vulgar anatomical use.

## Topics
- Register & Style
- General Vocabulary

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