Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense knits, present participle knitting, past tense, past participle knittedlanguage note: The past tense can be either knit or knitted for meaning [sense 4].
1. verb
If you knit something, especially an article of clothing, you make it from wool or a similar thread by using two knitting needles or a machine.
I had endless hours to knit and sew. [VERB]
I have already started knitting baby clothes. [VERB noun]
She knitted him 10 pairs of socks to take with him. [VERB noun noun]
During the war, Joan helped her mother knit scarves for soldiers. [VERB noun + for]
She pushed up the sleeves of her grey knitted cardigan and got to work. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun + into]
Knit is also a combining form.
Ferris wore a heavy knit sweater.
...a cotton-knit sweater.
...hand-knit garments.
knitterWord forms: plural knitterscountable noun
2. verb
If someone or something knits things or people together, they make them fit or work together closely and successfully.
The best thing about sport is that it knits the whole family close together. [VERB noun with together]
People have reservations about their president's drive to knit them so closely totheir neighbors. [V n + to/into]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: join, unite, link, tie More Synonyms of knit
3. combining form [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Knit is also a combining form.
...a closer-knit family.
...a tightly knit society.
4. verb
When broken bones knit, the broken pieces grow together again.
The bone hasn't knitted together properly. [V + together]
...broken bones that have failed to knit. [VERB]
Synonyms: heal, unite, join, link More Synonyms of knit
5.
See to knit your brow
More Synonyms of knit
knit in British English
(nɪt)
verbWord forms: knits, knitting, knitted or knit
1.
to make (a garment, etc) by looping and entwining (yarn, esp wool) by hand by means of long eyeless needles (knitting needles) or by machine (knitting machine)
2.
to join or be joined together closely
3.
to draw (the brows) together or (of the brows) to come together, as in frowning or concentrating
4.
(of a broken bone) to join together; heal
noun
5.
a.
a fabric or garment made by knitting
b.
(in combination)
a heavy knit
Derived forms
knittable (ˈknittable)
adjective
knitter (ˈknitter)
noun
Word origin
Old English cnyttan to tie in; related to Middle Low German knütten to knot together; see knot1
knit in American English
(nɪt)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈknitted or knit, ˈknitting
1.
to make (cloth or a garment) by interconnecting loops of yarn or thread in rows of stitches by means of a pair of special needles or a machine
2.
a.
to form into cloth in this way rather than by weaving
b.
to form (one or more stitches of the basic type)
“K2, P2” means “knit two stitches, purl 2 stitches”
3.
to join together closely and firmly; unite
4.
to draw (the brows) together; contract in wrinkles
5. Chiefly Dialectal
to tie or fasten in or with a knot
verb intransitive
6.
a.
to make cloth or a garment by knitting yarn or thread
b.
to produce a basic stitch or stitches
7.
to be joined together closely and firmly; grow together, as a broken bone
8.
to become drawn together in wrinkles, as the brow
noun
9.
cloth or a garment made by knitting
Derived forms
knitter (ˈknitter)
noun
Word origin
ME knitten < OE cnyttan (akin to Ger knütten, to tie (fishing) nets) < base of cnotta, knot1
Examples of 'knit' in a sentence
knit
It seemed as if they were knit together by an invisible force.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Globally competitive firms knit together national competitive advantages to make things in the most cost-effective locations.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And no one exemplifies it better than the little, scuttling figure who knits it all together in the centre of the pitch.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
A little wool, a couple of knitting needles and a bit of time and lives can be changed.
The Sun (2016)
Their plight - and many more like them - has inspired you to pick up your knitting needles in droves.
The Sun (2016)
Throw on your chunky knit, switch on the kettle and enter TV season in style.
The Sun (2016)
The strap is long enough to wear over a coat or a chunky knit, but you carry it close to your body, tucked discreetly under your arm.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can now put those knitting needles down as we have drawn the campaign to a close.
The Sun (2015)
Wrap up for the season in layers of chiffon and chunky knits.
The Sun (2013)
The story strands past and present are knitted together in a satisfyingly coherent manner.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We are a very closely knit family and that meant the world to me.
The Sun (2009)
Maybe also the navy knit jacket with military detail.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
To make hot pants work you need a pair of legs and not two knitting needles.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Try this trick by adding a contrasting polo neck under a chunky knit.
The Sun (2014)
That sense of fading glory is one of the themes that knits the stories together.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They felt like a closely knit team.
Christianity Today (2000)
Get this knitting needle in a wig out of our sight!
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
All of whom argue that the average bloke knows as much about his health as he does about knitting patterns.
The Sun (2010)
It's an extremely robust plant that knits tightly together.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It's like trying to hold a lump of jelly with knitting wool.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The other good thing about spring knits is they don't take up much space.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It's a gossipy world that is quite tightly knit.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Team with silver shoes, jeans and a navy knit for day.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It's like a coil of silk with knitting wool and big sparkly gold frilly bits.
The Sun (2011)
It pretended it was all about knitting, but really it was about puns.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He tells me that it will be a year or 18 months before the bone knits round the metal pin.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
All the women at present were busy knitting woollen garments; some were learners and did their work slowly and painstakingly.
Clerk, Jayana & Siegel, Ruth Modern Literatures of the Non-Western World: Where the Waters Are Born (1995)
Word lists with
knit
fabric
In other languages
knit
British English: knit /nɪt/ VERB
When someone knits something, they make it from wool or a similar thread using knitting needles or a machine.
She knitted him 10 pairs of socks.
I had endless hours to knit and sew.
American English: knit
Arabic: يَنْسِجُ
Brazilian Portuguese: tricotar
Chinese: 编织
Croatian: plesti
Czech: plést z vlny
Danish: strikke
Dutch: breien
European Spanish: hacer punto
Finnish: neuloa
French: tricoter
German: stricken
Greek: πλέκω
Italian: lavorare a maglia
Japanese: 編む
Korean: ...을 뜨다 스웨터
Norwegian: strikke
Polish: robić na drutach
European Portuguese: tricotar
Romanian: a tricota
Russian: вязать
Latin American Spanish: tejer
Swedish: sticka en tröja
Thai: ถัก
Turkish: örmek
Ukrainian: плести
Vietnamese: đan
All related terms of 'knit'
interknit
to knit together
hand-knit
knitted by hand, not on a machine
well-knit
strong, firm , or sturdy
cable-knit
knitted using the cable stitch
close-knit
A close-knit group of people are closely linked , do things together , and take an interest in each other.
double knit
a knitted material made on two sets of needles that produce a double thickness joined with interlocking stitches
knit stitch
the most common stitch in knitting ; stitches are formed on the left-hand needle by placing the point of the right-hand needle through the loop from left to right , winding the wool from the right-hand needle under the point of the right-hand needle and back across the front , pulling the loop through, and slipping the stitch off the left-hand needle
thick-knit
knitted from thick yarn
loosely-knit
associated or linked in a loose way
to knit your brow knit one's eyebrows
If you knit your brows or knit your eyebrows , you frown because you are angry or worried.
fisherman
A fisherman is a man who catches fish as a job or for sport.
Chinese translation of 'knit'
knit
(nɪt)
vt
[garment]织(織) (zhī)
vi
(with wool) 织(織) (zhī)
[bones]愈(癒)合 (yùhé)
1 (verb)
Definition
to join together closely
Sport knits the whole family close together.
Synonyms
join
The opened link is used to join the two ends of the chain.
unite
They have agreed to unite their efforts to bring peace.
link
the Channel Tunnel linking Britain and France
tie
He tied the ends of the plastic bag together.
bond
Strips of wood are bonded together and moulded by machine.
ally
We need to ally economic freedom with personal liberty.
combine
Disease and starvation are combining to kill thousands.
secure
The frames are secured by horizontal rails to the back wall.
bind
Bind the ends of the card together with thread.
connect
There is no evidence to connect him to the robberies.
I wouldn't have connected the two events if you hadn't said that.
merge
The two countries merged into one.
weave
She then weaves the fibres together to make the traditional Awatum basket.
fasten
Use screws to fasten the shelf to the wall.
meld
2 (verb)
Definition
to join together closely
broken bones that have failed to knit
Synonyms
heal
unite
join
link
bind
connect
Connect the machine to the mains.
loop
He looped the rope over the wood.
mend
He must have an operation to mend torn knee ligaments.
The arm is broken, but you'll mend.
fasten
intertwine
Trees and creepers intertwined, blocking our way.
interlace
3 (verb)
Definition
to draw (one's eyebrows) together
They knitted their brows and started to grumble.
Synonyms
furrow
My boss furrowed his brow.
tighten
Martha tightened her lips and shook her head.
knot
He knotted the bandanna around his neck.
wrinkle
I wrinkled the velvet.
The skin around her eyes had begun to wrinkle.
crease
His face creased with mirth.
screw up
pucker
She puckered her lips at the sour taste of lemon.
scrunch up
contract
As we move our bodies, our muscles contract and relax.
subject word lists
See Knitting stitches
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ally
We need to ally economic freedom with personal liberty.
Synonyms
combine,
unite,
join,
link,
marry,
mix,
bond,
associate,
pool,
bind,
connect,
compound,
blend,
integrate,
merge,
put together,
unify,
fuse,
synthesize,
join together,
band together,
meld
in the sense of bind
Definition
to make secure, such as with a rope
Bind the ends of the card together with thread.
Synonyms
tie,
unite,
join,
stick,
secure,
attach,
wrap,
rope,
knot,
strap,
lash,
glue,
tie up,
hitch,
paste,
fasten,
truss,
make fast
in the sense of bond
Definition
to hold or be held together
Strips of wood are bonded together and moulded by machine.
Synonyms
fix,
hold,
bind,
connect,
glue,
gum,
fuse,
stick,
paste,
fasten
Synonyms of 'knit'
knit
Explore 'knit' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of combine
Definition
to join together
Disease and starvation are combining to kill thousands.
Synonyms
join together,
link,
connect,
integrate,
merge,
fuse,
amalgamate,
meld
in the sense of connect
Definition
to associate in the mind
There is no evidence to connect him to the robberies.I wouldn't have connected the two events if you hadn't said that.
Synonyms
associate,
unite,
join,
couple,
league,
link,
mix,
relate,
pair,
ally,
identify,
combine,
affiliate,
correlate,
confederate,
lump together,
mention in the same breath,
think of together
in the sense of connect
Definition
to link or be linked
Connect the machine to the mains.
Synonyms
link,
join,
couple,
attach,
fasten,
affix,
unite
in the sense of contract
Definition
to draw (muscles) together or (of muscles) to be drawn together
As we move our bodies, our muscles contract and relax.
Synonyms
tighten,
narrow,
knit,
purse,
shorten,
pucker,
wrinkle
in the sense of crease
Definition
to make or become wrinkled or furrowed
His face creased with mirth.
Synonyms
wrinkle,
crumple,
screw up
in the sense of fasten
Definition
to make or become secure or joined
Use screws to fasten the shelf to the wall.
Synonyms
fix,
join,
link,
connect,
grip,
attach,
anchor,
affix,
make firm,
make fast
in the sense of intertwine
Definition
to twist together
Trees and creepers intertwined, blocking our way.
Synonyms
interweave,
entwine,
interlace,
cross,
link,
twist,
braid,
convolute,
reticulate,
interwreathe,
inweave
in the sense of knot
Definition
to tie or fasten in a knot
He knotted the bandanna around his neck.
Synonyms
tie,
secure,
bind,
weave,
loop,
knit,
tether,
entangle
in the sense of link
Definition
to connect with or as if with links
the Channel Tunnel linking Britain and France
Synonyms
connect,
join,
unite,
couple,
tie,
bind,
attach,
fasten,
yoke
in the sense of loop
Definition
to make into a loop
He looped the rope over the wood.
Synonyms
twist,
turn,
join,
roll,
circle,
connect,
bend,
fold,
knot,
curl,
spiral,
coil,
braid,
encircle,
wind round,
curve round
Additional synonyms
in the sense of mend
Definition
to heal or recover
He must have an operation to mend torn knee ligaments.The arm is broken, but you'll mend.
Synonyms
heal,
improve,
recover,
cure,
remedy,
get better,
be all right,
be cured,
recuperate,
pull through,
convalesce
in the sense of merge
Definition
to combine, esp. so as to become part of a larger whole
The two countries merged into one.
Synonyms
combine,
blend,
fuse,
amalgamate,
unite,
join,
mix,
consolidate,
mingle,
converge,
coalesce,
melt into,
meld,
intermix
in the sense of pucker
Definition
to gather into wrinkles
She puckered her lips at the sour taste of lemon.
Synonyms
wrinkle,
tighten,
purse,
pout,
contract,
gather,
knit,
crease,
compress,
crumple,
ruffle,
furrow,
screw up,
crinkle,
draw together,
ruck up,
ruckle
in the sense of secure
Definition
to attach; make fast or firm
The frames are secured by horizontal rails to the back wall.
Synonyms
attach,
stick,
fix,
bind,
pin,
lash,
glue,
fasten,
rivet
in the sense of tie
Definition
to fasten or be fastened with string, rope, etc.
He tied the ends of the plastic bag together.
Synonyms
fasten,
bind,
join,
unite,
link,
connect,
attach,
knot,
truss,
interlace
in the sense of tighten
Definition
to make or become tight or tighter
Martha tightened her lips and shook her head.
Synonyms
purse,
narrow,
compress,
screw up,
pucker
in the sense of unite
Definition
to possess (a combination of qualities) at the same time
They have agreed to unite their efforts to bring peace.
Synonyms
join,
link,
combine,
couple,
marry,
wed,
blend,
incorporate,
merge,
consolidate,
unify,
fuse,
amalgamate,
coalesce,
meld
in the sense of weave
Definition
to form (a fabric) by interlacing yarn on a loom
She then weaves the fibres together to make the traditional Awatum basket.
Synonyms
knit,
twist,
intertwine,
plait,
unite,
introduce,
blend,
incorporate,
merge,
mat,
fuse,
braid,
entwine,
intermingle,
interlace
in the sense of wrinkle
Definition
to develop or cause to develop wrinkles
I wrinkled the velvet.The skin around her eyes had begun to wrinkle.