Knave is an old-fashionedUsed less often now; associated with earlier times word for a dishonestNot truthful or fair; willing to deceive others, untrustworthy person. It can also mean the jackA playing card ranked between ten and queen in a deck of playing cards.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /neɪv/
Easy pronunciation: NAYV (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the single syllable.
Noun meaning a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Knave Meaning
a dishonest, untrustworthy person
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
Example: He was regarded as a knave by everyone in the village.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- rogue — A strong match for a dishonest person, though often less old-fashioned.
- rascal — Works well for a dishonest or mischievous person, though it can be lighter in tone.
- scoundrel — A very close substitute for someone morally bad or dishonest.
- rapscallion — Can fit this sense, but is more playful or old-fashioned.
- scalawag — Sometimes used for a dishonest person, though it often sounds regional or informal.
- scallywag — Can work for a naughty or dishonest person, but is usually milder and more playful.
- varlet — An old-fashioned insult for a dishonest or contemptible man.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Knave
Meaning 2
the jack playing card
Part of speech: noun
Definition: one of four face cards in a deck bearing a picture of a young prince
Example: He drew the knave of hearts.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- jack — The standard modern word for this playing-card face.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Knave Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- rogue
- rascal
- scoundrel
the jack playing card
- jack
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse knave with nave, but they are different words.
- Knave is not the same as knight in cards; the modern equivalent is jack.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does knave mean?
Knave usually means a dishonest, unreliable person. In card games, it can also mean a jack.
Is knave a common word?
No. It is old-fashioned and mostly appears in literature, historical writing, or set phrases.
What is a synonym for knave?
For the dishonest-person sense, good synonyms include rogue, rascal, and scoundrel. For the card sense, the synonym is jack.
Does knave mean jack?
Yes, in traditional card language, knave refers to the jack.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
