What does "knife" mean?

1. (cutting tool) a tool with a sharp blade and a handle used for cutting food or other materials. 2. (a weapon) a sharp object used as a weapon for fighting or protection. 3. (to move through quickly) to move through something quickly and easily, like a blade cutting through paper. 4. (to betray) to betray someone, especially in politics or at work.

How do you use "knife"?

The plural form is 'knives'. Often used in the phrase 'knife in the back'.

Is it correct to say "I need two knifes for the table."?

No — say "I need two knives for the table.". The plural of 'knife' is 'knives', changing the 'f' to a 'v'.

knife

n. · v.

US //ˈnaɪf// UK //nˈaɪf// knife

1 cutting tool (n.)
A2 Elementary

a tool with a sharp blade and a handle used for cutting food or other materials.

a handheld instrument used for cutting, consisting of a sharpened blade attached to a handle.

Example

He used a sharp knife to slice the bread for sandwiches.

Example

The chef insisted on using a high-carbon steel knife to ensure the precision required for julienning the vegetables.

Usage

The plural form is 'knives'.
- blade
- cutter
Pitfall

I need two knifes for the table.

I need two knives for the table.

The plural of 'knife' is 'knives', changing the 'f' to a 'v'.
2 a weapon (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a sharp object used as a weapon for fighting or protection.

a bladed weapon designed for stabbing or slashing, typically shorter than a sword.

Example

The police found a small pocket knife in the suspect's bag.

Example

In many jurisdictions, carrying a concealed knife with a blade over a certain length is strictly prohibited by law.
- dagger
- shiv

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3 to move through quickly (v.)
C1 Advanced Literary

to move through something quickly and easily, like a blade cutting through paper.

to move through a medium with speed and precision, as if cutting it.

Example

The boat knifed through the calm water of the lake.

Example

The sleek prow of the yacht knifed through the Atlantic swells, leaving a shimmering wake behind it in the moonlight.
4 to betray (v.)
C2 Proficiency Informal Formal

to betray someone, especially in politics or at work.

to betray a person or cause, often used in political contexts to describe a sudden or treacherous act.

Example

He felt his colleagues had knifed him to get the promotion.

Example

The senator was effectively knifed by his own party members during the committee hearing, ending his hopes for the nomination.

Usage

Often used in the phrase 'knife in the back'.
- betray
- backstab
- support
- defend

Origin

From Middle English knyf, knif, from late Old English cnīf, from Old Norse knífr, from Proto-Germanic knībaz, from knīpaną (“to pinch”), Proto-Indo-European *gneybʰ- (compare Lithuanian gnýbti, žnýbti (“to pinch”), gnaibis (“pinching”)). Displaced native Middle English sax (“knife”) from Old English seax; and Middle English coutel, qwetyll (“knife”) from Old French coutel. The verb knife is attested since the 1860s; the variant knive is attested since 1733. Cognates Cognate with Yola kunnife (“knife”), North Frisian knif (“knife”), Dutch knijf (“long pointy knife, poniard”), German Knifte (“rifle; thick slicebread”), German Low German Knief (“knife”), Luxembourgish Knäip (“paring knife”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk kniv (“knife”), Faroese knívur (“knife”), Icelandic hnífur, knífur (“knife”), Swedish knif, kniv (“knife”).

Idioms3 entries