knocking
ˈnɑkɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of knocking - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

noisemaking a repetitive hard tapping sound
  • The knocking noise from the engine was concerning.
rapping tapping

Noun

1.
actionact of producing a knock or sound
  • The knocking on the door startled everyone.
rap tapping
2.
putting downcriticism or fault-finding
  • His constant knocking of my ideas was demoralizing..
criticism
3.
mechanicsTECH.repetitive sound from engine issuesTECH.
  • The mechanic fixed the knocking in the car engine.
detonation piston slap
Add a suggestion |

Expressions with knocking

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
condition of nearing a particular goal or achievement
The team is knocking on the door of victory in the championship.
seek an opportunity or favor
Companies come knocking when they see your potential.
approaching the age of fifty years old
He's knocking on for fifty next year.
chance available for you to take
Don't hesitate, opportunity is knocking at your door.
receive criticism, damage, or loss in reputation or value
The company's image took a knocking after the scandal.
extremely impressive or causes great excitement
The performance was truly sock-knocking.

Origin of knocking

Middle English, knocken (to strike)

Terms with knocking included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
simulated knocking
phrase used instead of knocking
door hardware
metal object on a door for knocking
home
device for knocking on a door
teeth noise
teeth knocking together from cold or fear
prank
perform a prank by knocking and running away
sound
the act of knocking or tapping
entering
enter a place without knocking or waiting
physical act
act of knocking someone or something to the ground

Examples of knocking in a sentence

  • A knocking echo filled the empty hallway.
  • The knocking from the engine worried the driver.
  • She heard a faint knocking from the basement.
  • The article was full of knocking against the new policy.
  • Her knocking of the project was unwarranted.
  • He noticed a knocking coming from the old engine.

View all translations of knocking

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:cliquetant, frappe, ...
  2. German:klopfend, Klopfen, ...
  3. Italian:martellante, colpo, ...
  4. Spanish:golpeteante, golpeteo, ...
  5. Portuguese:ritmado, batida, ...
  6. Chinese:敲击的, 敲击声, ...
  7. Japanese:ノッキングの, ノック, ...
  8. Arabic:طَرْقِيّ, طَرْق, ...
  9. Hebrew:נוֹקֵשׁ, דְּפִיקָה, ...
  10. Russian:стучащий, стук, ...
  11. Ukrainian:стукітний, стук, ...
  12. Hindi:ठक-ठक की, खटखटाहट, ...
knock
nɑk

Definition of knock - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

intr.
1.
communicationhit something to attract attention
  • She knocked on the door loudly.
bang rap tap
2.
collisioncollide with something forcefully
  • The car knocked into the fence during the chase..
bump hit strike
3.
soundmake a repeated sharp noise
  • The engine started to knock.
bang rap tap

Noun

1.
soundsharp sound made by hitting something
  • She heard a loud knock on the door..
bang rap tap
2.
communicationcriticism or negative remark
  • He received a knock for his performance.
critique rebuke
Add a suggestion |

Expressions with knock

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
phrase used instead of knocking
Knock knock! Can I come in?
to tap on a surface to attract attention
He decided to knock on the door to see if anyone was home..
cause to fall by striking
He knocked down the old shed with a sledgehammer..
stop working or doing an activity
Let's knock off early today.
hit one's head against something
He accidentally knocked his head against the door.
physically knock on each door in a place
The salesman decided to knock at every door in the neighborhood.

Origin of knock

Middle English, knokken (to strike)

Examples of knock in a sentence

  • The teacher knocked on the table to silence the class.
  • She knocked over the vase while dancing.
  • The bike knocked against the wall.
  • I heard someone knock at the door.
  • The pipes began to knock loudly.
  • She accidentally knocked the vase off the table.

View all translations of knock

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:frapper, coup, ...
  2. German:klopfen, Klopfen, ...
  3. Italian:bussare, bussata, ...
  4. Spanish:golpear, toque, ...
  5. Portuguese:bater, batida, ...
  6. Chinese:敲击, 敲击声, ...
  7. Japanese:叩く, ノック, ...
  8. Arabic:طَرَقَ, طَرْق, ...
  9. Hebrew:לִדְפּוֹק, דְּפִיקָה, ...
  10. Russian:стучать, стук, ...
  11. Ukrainian:стукати, стук, ...
  12. Hindi:खटखटाना, खटखट, ...

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery