ENGLISH
REFERENCE

knives

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈnaɪvz// UK //nˈaɪvz// knives

n. sharp tools with a handle and a metal blade. You use them for cutting food or other materials.

n. instruments composed of a blade fixed into a handle, used for cutting or as weapons. Irregular plural form of 'knife'.


SIMPLE

Please put the sharp knives in the top drawer.

CONTEXTUAL

The chef sharpened all his professional knives before starting the busy dinner service.

COMPLEX

Archaeologists discovered several flint knives at the excavation site, suggesting that the ancient inhabitants possessed sophisticated tool-making skills for hunting and domestic tasks.

Synonyms
Usage

The plural form of 'knife'; follows the standard pattern for nouns ending in -fe where the ending changes to -ves.

Pitfall

I need two knifesI need two knivesThe plural of 'knife' is irregular; the 'f' changes to a 'v' before adding 'es'.

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