# knife

/ˈnaɪf/ (US) · /nˈaɪf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/knife
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. cutting tool

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- 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'.

### 2. a weapon

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to move through quickly

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to betray

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal · Formal

to betray someone, especially in politics or at work.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- Please use a sharp knife to cut the bread.
- The chef carefully sharpened every knife in the kitchen before the dinner service began.
- Archaeological evidence suggests that the transition from stone to bronze knives marked a significant shift in the efficiency of both domestic tasks and early combat.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.