The word ‘knob’ means a rounded handle or a small, rounded part that you can turn or push.
knob :
handle, round part
noun
▪ She turned the knob to open the door.
▪ She moved the handle to open the door.
▪ The knob is too tight to turn.
▪ The handle is too hard to move.
paraphrasing
▪ handle – a part you hold to operate something
▪ dial – a round part that you turn to change settings
Pronunciation
knob [nɒb]
The word sounds like 'nob' with a short 'o' sound.
Common phrases and grammar about knob
knob - Common meaning
noun
handle, round part
Part of Speech Changes for "knob"
▪ knobbed (adjective) – having a knob or knobs
▪ knob-like (adjective) – resembling a knob
Common Expressions with "knob"
Important examples of knob in TOEIC
Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test
In TOEIC vocabulary questions, knob usually refers to a handle used to open or close something.
▪Please turn the knob to unlock the door.
▪Please rotate the handle to open the door.
Example of a confusing word: nob (a person of high rank)
▪Please turn the nob to unlock the door.
▪Please ask the nobleman to unlock the door.
"Knob" is a noun referring to a rounded handle or control switch, such as the one used to open a door. The sentence "Please turn the knob to unlock the door" is grammatically correct and conveys the intended action. On the other hand, "nob" refers to a person of high social status or rank and is not a physical object you can turn. Therefore, using "nob" in this context is incorrect and nonsensical. "Knob" is the appropriate choice for describing a handle.
Grammar examples from the TOEIC test
Knob is often used in questions about tools or equipment in TOEIC tests.
▪The knob was broken and needed to be fixed.
▪The handle was damaged and needed repair.
knob
Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC
door knob
'handle on a door', used to open or close doors.
▪The door knob was shiny and new.
▪The handle on the door was bright and new.
cabinet knob
'handle on a cabinet', used to open cabinet doors.
▪She replaced the cabinet knob with a new one.
▪She changed the handle on the cabinet for a new one.
Differences between similar words and knob
knob
,
handle
differences
Knob is a small, rounded handle, while handle can be larger and may not be round.
knob
▪She turned the knob to open the drawer.
▪She moved the small handle to open the drawer.
handle
▪He grabbed the handle to lift the box.
▪He held the knob to lift the box.
knob
,
dial
differences
Knob is often a simple round part, while dial usually has numbers or settings.
knob
▪She turned the knob to open the window.
▪He rotated the numbered part to change the heat.
dial
▪He turned the dial to set the temperature.
▪He rotated the numbered part to change the heat.
Words with the same origin as knob
The origin of knob
The word 'knob' comes from the Old English 'cnobbe', meaning a rounded protuberance or a lump.
Word structure
The composition of the word is unclear.
Words with the same origin
The word's root is unclear or difficult to confirm.
