knock
deliver a sharp blow or push
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,759 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 6,021 times across 155,370 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
verb
- deliver a sharp blow or push also: strike hard He knocked the glass clear across the room
- rap with the knuckles knock on the door
- knock against with force or violence also: bump My car bumped into the tree
- make light, repeated taps on a surface also: tap, rap, pink he was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently
- sound like a car engine that is firing too early also: pink, ping the car pinged when I put in low-octane gasolineThe car pinked when the ignition was too far retarded
- find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws also: criticize, criticise, pick apart The paper criticized the new movieDon't knock the food--it's free
noun
- the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing) also: knocking the knocking grew louder
- negative criticism also: roast
knock in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Just as the laugh echoed away, there came a sharp knock at the door.
The Club of Queer Trades · G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton · Chapter 1
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He was about to say something more when there came a knock at the door.
The Treasure-Train · Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin) Reeve · Chapter 1
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Every morning, as soon as she was up, Mlle. Lucienne came to knock at his door.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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A soft knock, as of fat fingers, made Mon glance towards the door, and bid the knocker enter.
The Velvet Glove · Henry Seton Merriman · Chapter 1
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They had to knock for some time against the stout oak door before any notice was taken of the summons.
Windsor Castle · William Harrison Ainsworth · Chapter 1