# knives

/ˈnaɪvz/ (US) · /nˈaɪvz/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/knives
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- Please put the sharp knives in the top drawer.
- The chef sharpened all his professional knives before starting the busy dinner service.
- Archaeologists discovered several flint knives at the excavation site, suggesting that the ancient inhabitants possessed sophisticated tool-making skills for hunting and domestic tasks.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I need two knifes" but "I need two knives" — The plural of 'knife' is irregular; the 'f' changes to a 'v' before adding 'es'.

## Usage notes

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

---

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.