# knit

/ˈnɪt/ (US) · /nˈɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/knit
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. making clothes from yarn

verb · CEFR B1

to make clothes like sweaters or scarves by using long needles to loop yarn together.

For teachers: to construct fabric by interlocking loops of yarn or thread with needles or a machine.

- My grandmother taught me how to knit a warm scarf for the winter.
- She spent the quiet evenings knitting intricate patterns into a woollen jumper for her newborn nephew.

Usage: Can be used with or without a direct object.

### 2. to join together

verb · CEFR B2

to join people or things together in a strong, close way.

For teachers: to unite or link different elements or people into a cohesive and firm whole.

- The shared experience helped to knit the small community together.
- The director's vision served to knit the disparate scenes into a powerful and coherent narrative.

### 3. bones healing

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

when broken bones grow back together and heal.

For teachers: to grow together or become compacted, specifically regarding the healing process of fractured bones.

- The doctor said it would take six weeks for the broken bone to knit.
- X-rays confirmed that the fracture had begun to knit successfully, showing significant new bone growth across the break.

### 4. to knit your brows

verb · CEFR B2 · Literary

to move your eyebrows together because you are thinking hard or are angry.

For teachers: to draw the eyebrows together, resulting in a wrinkled forehead, typically as a sign of concentration or displeasure.

- He would often knit his brows when he was trying to solve a difficult puzzle.
- The professor sat in silence, knitting his brows as he scrutinised the student's controversial thesis statement.

Usage: Almost exclusively used with 'brows'.

### 5. knitted fabric or clothing

noun · CEFR B2

a piece of clothing made by knitting, or the type of fabric itself.

For teachers: a garment or fabric produced by the process of knitting.

- She wore a heavy knit to protect herself from the cold wind.
- The autumn collection featured a variety of chunky knits and lightweight cotton blends.

## Examples

- My grandmother taught me how to knit a warm scarf.
- She decided to knit a wool sweater for her brother's birthday during the long winter evenings.
- The community center aims to knit the diverse neighborhood together through shared gardening projects and local festivals.

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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.
