NYT Dictionary

KNUCKLE

/ˈnʌkəl/
NounVerbKNUCK-leknuck-le · 2 syllablesGrade 1

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020, 2021, 2023, 2025

Meaning

Any of the joints between the bones of the fingers.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English knokel (“finger joint”), from Old English cnucel (“the juncture of two bones; knuckle; joint”), from Proto-West Germanic *knukil, from Proto-Germanic *knukilaz (“knuckle, knot, bump”), as *knukô (“bone, joint”) + *-ilaz (diminutive suffix). Cognate with Dutch knokkel (“knuckle”), Low German Knökel (“knuckle”), German Knöchel (“ankle, knuckle”), Old Norse knykill. More at knock.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

knuckle underanklearticulationboundarybowbreastbuttcapitulatecavecervix

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

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