Definition of "knife" in English

noun

1. A utensil or a tool designed for cutting, consisting of a flat piece of hard material, usually steel or other metal (the blade), usually sharpened on one edge, attached to a handle. The blade may be pointed for piercing.

   • He was looking for a knife to chop some steak.

2. A weapon designed with the aforementioned specifications intended for slashing or stabbing but too short to be called a sword; a dagger.

3. Any blade-like part in a tool or a machine designed for cutting, such as that of a chipper.

verb

1. (transitive) To cut with a knife.

2. (transitive) To use a knife to injure or kill by stabbing, slashing, or otherwise using the sharp edge of the knife as a weapon.

   • She was repeatedly knifed in the chest.

3. (intransitive) To cut through as if with a knife.

   • The boat knifed through the water.

4. (transitive) To betray, especially in the context of a political slate.

5. (transitive) To positively ignore, especially in order to denigrate; compare cut.