Knell is a word with two main uses: it can refer to the sound of a bell, especially one rung slowly for a funerala ceremony held when someone has died or to signala sign or action that tells people something the end of something, and it can also be used as a verba word that shows an action or state for ringing in that way. In everyday English, it is most often seen in the noun sense or in fixed phrases about endings.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /nɛl/
Easy pronunciation: NEL (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; the whole word is stressed.
Noun: the slow bell sound used for a funeral or to signal an ending.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Knell Meaning
a slow bell sound used for a funeral or to signal that something is ending
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the sound of a bell rung slowly to announce a death, funeral, or the end of something
Example: The distant knell from the church bell sounded across the village.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- ring — Only works loosely; it is a broader word and does not specifically mean a funeral bell sound.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Knell
Meaning 2
to ring bells
Part of speech: verb
Definition: make bells ring, often for musical or ceremonial purposes
Example: The church bells knelled through the evening air.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- ring — A direct synonym in this bell-ringing sense.
Meaning 3
to ring a bell to signal a death
Part of speech: verb
Definition: ring as in announcing death
Example: The bells knelled after the news of the king's death.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- ring — Fits this specific bell-ringing sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Knell Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- ring
verb: make bells ring
- ring
verb: ring as in announcing death
- ring
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse knell with knelt, which is the past tense of kneel.
- Knell is not a general word for any bell sound; it usually suggests a slow, serious, often mournful ringing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does knell mean?
Knell usually means the slow, mournful sound of a bell, especially for a funeral or to mark an ending.
Is knell a noun or a verb?
It can be both. As a noun, it means the sound of a bell. As a verb, it means to ring bells, especially in a death-related or ceremonial sense.
What is a simple synonym for knell?
Ring is the closest supplied synonym, but it is broader and does not always carry the same funeral or ominous feeling.
What is the difference between knell and ring?
Ring is the general word for making a bell sound. Knell is more specific and usually refers to a slow, solemn bell sound, often linked to death or endings.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.