knife
gb/nˈaɪf/ us/nˈaɪf/
A1
English
~ 2600
kés, megkésel, tőr
NOUN
A1
1
kés
A1
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] knife
She used a sharp knife to chop the onions.
Éles késsel aprította fel a hagymát.
He pulled a pocket knife from his backpack.
Elővett egy zsebkést a hátizsákjából.
The chef sharpened his favorite kitchen knife before cooking.
This butter knife won't cut through bread.
I accidentally dropped the steak knife on the floor.
Learner examples
I use a knife to cut bread.
Késsel vágom a kenyeret.
The knife is on the table.
A kés az asztalon van.
He has a small knife in his bag.
Be careful, the knife is sharp.
She cuts the apple with a knife.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'knife' with 'blade', not realizing 'blade' is only part of a knife.
Meaning
A tool with a blade for cutting
Collocations
sharp knife
|kitchen knife
|pocket knife
|butter knife
|steak knife
Synonyms
blade (More general; can refer to the cutting part of various tools or weapons, not just a knife.)
Antonyms
spoon (A common eating utensil that contrasts with a knife in function and shape.)
Themes
daily life
|food
|cooking
|daily_life
|food_drink
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A tool with a sharp metal blade and a handle, used to cut things.
A tool consisting of a sharp-edged blade fixed to a handle, used for cutting or slicing.
VERB
B2
2
megkésel
B2
Usage pattern:
to knife [someone/something]
The victim was knifed during the fight.
Az áldozatot a verekedés során megkéselték.
He threatened to knife anyone who came closer.
Azzal fenyegetőzött, hogy megkésel bárkit, aki közelebb jön.
Someone knifed the tires of my car last night.
Learner examples
He knifed the man in the leg.
Lábon szúrta a férfit egy késsel.
She knifed the fruit open.
Késsel felvágta a gyümölcsöt.
The thief knifed him and ran away.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'knife' (verb) with 'cut', not realizing 'knife' implies using an actual knife and often suggests violence.
Meaning
To cut or stab using a knife
Collocations
knife someone
|knife attack
|knife wound
Synonyms
stab (Focuses on thrusting a pointed object into something; may or may not involve a knife.)
Antonyms
heal (Opposite in effect; to make healthy instead of causing injury.)
Themes
crime
|violence
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
|law
Definition
To cut or hurt someone or something with a knife.
To injure, kill, or damage something by cutting or stabbing it with a knife.
NOUN
B1
3
tőr
B2
Usage pattern:
carry a [adjective] knife
The suspect was found carrying a hunting knife.
A gyanúsítottnál vadászkést találtak.
He drew a combat knife from his belt.
Előhúzott egy harci kést az övéből.
Switchblade knives are illegal in some countries.
Learner examples
He has a big hunting knife.
Van nála egy nagy vadászkés.
The man carries a small combat knife.
A férfi egy kis harci kést hord magánál.
A switchblade knife is dangerous.
Meaning
A small bladed weapon
Collocations
combat knife
|hunting knife
|switchblade knife
Synonyms
dagger (A type of short, pointed weapon, typically double-edged, used for stabbing.)
Themes
weapons
|crime
|law
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small weapon with a blade for cutting or stabbing.
A small weapon with a sharp blade and handle, designed or used for stabbing or cutting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
knife
IPA
GB/nˈaɪf/
US/nˈaɪf/
Syllables & stress
knife (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (knife)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: knife
- Plural: knives
Verb
- Base: knife
- 3rd Person Singular: knifes
- Present Participle: knifing
- Past: knifed
Word family
Forms
knives
noun
knifes
verb
knifing
verb
knifed
verb
Related words
blade
noun B1
cutlery
noun
Advanced or less common
knifelike
adjective
Expressions
bring a knife to a gunfight
1/bɹˈɪŋ ə nˈaɪf tə ə ɡˈʌnfˌaɪt/
idiom
informal
Be unprepared compared to others
To be less prepared or equipped than others in a competition or conflict.
Examples
- Going into that debate without facts is like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
- They were outclassed, like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
pull a knife on [someone]
1/pˈʊl ə nˈaɪf ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Take out a knife to threaten someone
To take out a knife and point it at someone as a threat.
Examples
- The mugger pulled a knife on the man in the alley.
- He pulled a knife on me when I refused to give him money.
under the knife
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə nˈaɪf/
idiom
Having surgery performed on you
To have an operation in a hospital.
Examples
- He's going under the knife tomorrow for heart surgery.
- She went under the knife to repair her knee injury.
twist the knife
1/twˈɪst ðə nˈaɪf/
idiom
make someone's pain worse
To say or do something that makes someone feel even worse when they are already sad, hurt, or embarrassed.
Examples
- He knew she felt bad, but he twisted the knife by reminding her of her past mistakes.
- Losing the game was hard, and the fans booing just twisted the knife.
- You don’t need to twist the knife; she already knows she was wrong.
twist the knife
2/twˈɪst ðə nˈaɪf/
idiom
informal
Make someone's pain worse on purpose
To make someone feel even worse when they are already sad or hurt.
Examples
- She really twisted the knife by reminding him of his failure.
- Don't twist the knife—he's already upset.