Knob
/nɒb/
Definitions
2 meaningsA rounded handle, typically fixed to a door, drawer, or other object, used for opening or closing.
/nɒb/
A rounded handle on a door, drawer, or other object.
He turned the doorknob and entered the room.
💡 Simply: Think of a little round handle you use to open a door or pull out a drawer. Like, "Oops, I broke the knob off the kitchen cabinet!"
👶 For kids: It's a round thing you hold onto to open a door or a drawer.
More Examples
The brass knobs on the antique dresser added a touch of elegance.
She grasped the knob tightly as she opened the creaky door.
The knob of the radio volume control was difficult to turn.
How It's Used
"The doorknob was cold to the touch."
"She replaced the broken knob on the dresser."
A rounded lump or protuberance, often on a surface.
/nɒb/
A rounded lump or protuberance.
The tree trunk had a large knob where a branch had been cut.
💡 Simply: Imagine a little bump or lump sticking out of something. Like, "There was a weird knob on the surface of the wood."
👶 For kids: A little bump or lump that sticks out.
More Examples
He discovered a painful knob on his leg.
The sculptor added a small knob to the statue's shoulder.
There was a small, irregular knob on the surface of the pottery.
How It's Used
"He felt a small knob on his forehead after the accident."
"The tree had a knob where a branch had been removed."
From Middle English knobbe, knoppe, a lump or protuberance, from Middle Dutch knobbe or Middle Low German knop, a button or lump. Cognate with German Knauf.
Historically, "knob" has referred to any small, rounded protuberance or handle.
Memory tip
Imagine a round handle you grasp to open a door – that's a knob!