From Middle English knobbe, related to Middle Low German knubbe, with the core idea of a rounded lump or projecting shape. The handle and hill senses grew naturally from that shape, while the rude slang senses developed later from physical comparison and insult.
FAQ
What does knob mean?
It usually means a small round handle or control, but it can also mean a rounded lump, a rounded hill, or a rude British slang word.
Is the k silent in knob?
Yes. Knob is pronounced with a silent k.
Is knob rude?
The ordinary handle or lump senses are not rude. The British slang sense can be crude or insulting.
What is a knob on a door?
It is a round handle used to open or close the door.
What is the difference between knob and handle?
A knob is usually round and small. A handle can be many shapes and is the broader word.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Newest
Top
Active
Wise Hippo
Jul 14
The butter one sounds cosy, like something from an old recipe book
0
Reply
Brisk Narwhal
Jul 12
me enteré tarde de que knob también era insulto en UK, cuidado con los memes
1
Reply
Misty Seal
Jul 12
In school in India we were told knob for radio, but for phone settings nobody says knob na, say control or slider
0
Reply
Onyx Eagle
Jul 10
the silent k got me for years. kn-ob looked so reasonable in my head
0
Reply
Perky Heron
Jul 8
as an American I only knew the door one, British tv made this word way more dangerous lol
1
Reply
Contribution
Early Quokka
Jul 1
A Dorset knob is a real biscuit from Dorset, not somebody spelling door knob weirdly. Hard dry thing, traditionally eaten with cheese or dunked in tea.
2
Reply
Indigo Terrapin
Jul 3
and they have had knob throwing contests there, which sounds fake but isnt
0
Contribution
Jovial Kingfisher
Jul 1
With knobs on is a very British little idiom. If someone says same to you with knobs on, it means right back at you, even more, usually childish or jokey.
2
Reply
Contribution
Curious Parrot
Jun 25
Nob without the k can be a different British word, like a rich or posh person. So nobs at a country club and knobs on a cabinet are not normal spelling variants of each other.
3
Reply
Lunar Lynx
Jun 26
cribbage has his nobs too, but thats another rabbit hole
0
Contribution
Cobalt Impala
Jun 24
Old-house people in North America say knob-and-tube for a kind of early electrical wiring. The knobs there are ceramic supports, not controls.
4
Reply
Contribution
Sleek Starling
Jun 21
The hill meaning is not just old poetry. On US trail maps, especially around Appalachia and the Ozarks, Knob can just be part of the place name, like McAfee Knob or Pilot Knob.
5
Reply
Rapid Marmot
Jun 23
Bald Knob is all over Missouri place names, i never connected it with door knobs before
0
Contribution
Calm Moth
Jun 20
search tip more than grammar tip: US stores usually write doorknob as one word. Door knob wont confuse anyone, it just gives worse results sometimes
6
Reply
Contribution
Free Salamander
Jun 19
If you hear knobhead, same family but it is its own insult. Means a stupid or annoying person in British slang, and still rude enough that I wouldnt use it at work.
8
Reply
Contribution
Hardy Ibex
Jun 12
Recipe note: a knob of butter is very UK-ish. In the US I would write a pat of butter unless I wanted that British cookbook sound.
14
Reply
Oaken Sparrow
Jun 15
yeah, pat of butter is what i see on diner menus and recipe cards here