knockoff

1 of 2

noun

knock·​off ˈnäk-ˌȯf 

: a copy that sells for less than the original

broadly : a copy or imitation of someone or something popular

knock off

2 of 2

verb

knocked off; knocking off; knocks off

intransitive verb

: to stop doing something

transitive verb

1

: to do hurriedly or routinely

knocked off one painting after another

2

: discontinue, stop

knocked off work at five

3

: deduct

knocked off a little to make the price more attractive

4

a

: kill

knocked off two men … on mercenary grounds

—Lewis Baker

b

: overcome, defeat

knocked off each center of rebellion

5

: rob

knocked off a couple of banks

6

: to make a knockoff of : copy, imitate

knocks off popular dress designs

Synonyms

Verb

• break
• break off
• break up
• can [slang]
• cease
• cut off
• cut out
• desist (from)
• discontinue
• drop
• end
• give over
• halt
• lay off
• leave off
• pack (up or in)
• quit
• shut off
• stop

Examples of knockoff in a Sentence

Noun

That purse is a knockoff.

Verb

decided it was time to knock off telling fantastic fibs about her family background

a proposal to knock 10 cents off the gasoline tax

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The company is defying the knockoff and seeing impressive expansion in its international business, which grew more than 30% for the third straight quarter. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 9 Aug. 2024

Spain’s Policía Nacional arrested a man in Madrid for attempting to sell a knockoff Da Vinci work, The Guardian reported. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2024

Verb

The Falcons knocked off Tampa on Sunday to take the lead in the NFC South. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 1 Nov. 2024

Crooks is also a top girls’ soccer player committed to Texas A&M. Torrance knocked off Rosary 24-12. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1966, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1649, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

knock off

verb

: to stop doing something