Knife is most commonly a noun for a cutting tool with a bladethe flat sharp part used for cutting and handle. It can also mean a weaponan object designed to hurt or kill someone of the same basic shape, and as a verb it means to attack or cut with a knife. In some specializedused for a particular purpose or field only uses, it can describe a thin projecting shape.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /naɪf/
Easy pronunciation: NIFE (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable, so the whole word is stressed.
Noun sense: a cutting tool with a blade and handle.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Knife Meaning
a cutting tool with a blade and handle
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
Example: She used a knife to cut the bread.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- blade — Can work in some contexts, but is broader and not always interchangeable with knife.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Knife
Meaning 2
a bladed weapon
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a weapon with a handle and blade with a sharp point
Example: He pulled a knife from his pocket.
Meaning 3
to attack or cut with a knife
Part of speech: verb
Definition: use a knife on
Example: The victim was knifed to death.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- stab — A good verb synonym in the violent-attack sense.
Meaning 4
a thin pointed projection
Part of speech: noun
Definition: any long thin projection that is transient
Example: The mountain ridge ended in a knife of rock.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- tongue — Only fits this specialized projecting-shape sense, not the common tool meaning.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Knife Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- blade
bladed weapon
- weapon
- dagger
attack or cut with a knife
- stab
thin pointed projection
- tongue
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use knife to mean any sharp blade, but the usual noun refers to the whole tool, not just the blade.
- The verb knife does not mean the same thing as cut in general; it specifically suggests using a knife.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does knife mean?
Most often, knife means a cutting tool with a sharp blade and a handle. It can also refer to a bladed weapon, or as a verb, to attack or cut with a knife.
What are common synonyms for knife?
For the everyday noun sense, there are few exact synonyms. Blade can be similar in some contexts, but it is not always a perfect substitute. For the verb sense, stab is the closest match.
Is knife a noun or a verb?
It can be both. Knife is usually a noun, but it is also a verb meaning to attack or cut with a knife.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
