knell
nɛl
Definition Synonyms Conjugation

Definition of knell - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
endingsDatedsign of the end or demise of somethingDated
  • The company's bankruptcy was the knell of its industry dominance.
death knell doom
2.
soundDatedsound of a bell signaling a deathDated
  • The knell echoed through the silent village.
chime clang toll

Verb

1.
endtr.Datedsignal the end or failure of somethingtr.Dated
  • The new policy knelled the old practices at the firm.
chime toll
2.
funeraltr./intr.Datedring a bell slowly for a funeraltr./intr.Dated
  • The church bells knelled for the departed.
chime toll
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Expressions with knell

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event causing failure or end
The new law sounded the death knell for the industry.
indicate the end or failure of something
The new law may sound the death knell for small businesses.
announce the end or failure of something
The new policy sounded the knell for the old practices.

Origin of knell

Old English, cnyll (sound of a bell)

Examples of knell in a sentence

  • The final whistle was the knell for the losing team.
  • The knell marked the end of the ceremony.
  • A distant knell could be heard at dusk.
  • The scandal knelled the politician's career.
  • The bankruptcy knelled the end of the company's operations.
  • The bell knelled solemnly in the distance.

View all translations of knell

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:glas, sonner le glas, ...
  2. German:Todesstoß, das Ende signalisieren, ...
  3. Italian:rintocco funebre, segnare la fine, ...
  4. Spanish:toque de difuntos, marcar el fin, ...
  5. Portuguese:toque fúnebre, sinalizar o fim, ...
  6. Chinese:终结, 宣告结束, ...
  7. Japanese:終焉, 終わりを告げる, ...
  8. Arabic:ناقوس النِهايَة, أَعْلَنَ نِهَايَة, ...
  9. Hebrew:סִימַן סִיּוּם, לְסַמֵּן, ...
  10. Russian:похоронный звон, завершение, ...
  11. Ukrainian:похоронний дзвін, означати кінець, ...
  12. Hindi:अंत, समाप्ति का संकेत देना, ...

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