Definitions
01cutting tool
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a tool with a sharp blade and a handle used for cutting food or other materials.
n. a handheld instrument used for cutting, consisting of a sharpened blade attached to a handle.
日本語:ナイフ※
“He used a sharp knife to slice the bread for sandwiches.”
“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'.
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'.
02a weapon
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a sharp object used as a weapon for fighting or protection.
n. a bladed weapon designed for stabbing or slashing, typically shorter than a sword.
“The police found a small pocket knife in the suspect's bag.”
“In many jurisdictions, carrying a concealed knife with a blade over a certain length is strictly prohibited by law.”
03to move through quickly
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to move through something quickly and easily, like a blade cutting through paper.
v. to move through a medium with speed and precision, as if cutting it.
“The boat knifed through the calm water of the lake.”
“The sleek prow of the yacht knifed through the Atlantic swells, leaving a shimmering wake behind it in the moonlight.”
04to betray
C2 · Proficiency Informal · Formal
v. to betray someone, especially in politics or at work.
v. to betray a person or cause, often used in political contexts to describe a sudden or treacherous act.
“He felt his colleagues had knifed him to get the promotion.”
“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'.
Synonyms
Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/knife
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR