knit

1 of 3

verb

ˈnit 

knit or knitted; knitting

transitive verb

1

: to form by interlacing yarn or thread in a series of connected loops with needles

2

a

: to link firmly or closely

knitted my hands

b

: to cause to grow together

time and rest will knit a fractured bone

c

: to contract into wrinkles

knitted her brow

3

chiefly dialectal : to tie together

intransitive verb

1

: to make knitted fabrics or objects

2

a

: to become compact

b

: to grow together

c

: to become drawn together

knitter noun

knit

2 of 3

noun

1

: knit stitch

2

a

: a knit fabric

b

knits plural : knitwear

knit

3 of 3

adjective

variants or knitted

1

: made from fabric formed by interlacing yarn or thread in a series of connected loops with needles : made from a knitted fabric

red knit socks

a knit/knitted cap

2

: involving connections or bonds between things or people

a novel with a tightly knit plot

… a closely knit team of specialists and medical care professionals.

—Dorothea D. Glass

A record is usually the result of a small, tightly knit team working in very close contact and with a continuity of attention.

—Brian Eno

Examples of knit in a Sentence

Verb

a style that knits together material from many different sources

a town knit together by farming

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Mary Fowler momentarily looks down and holds up a very neat yellow square of knitting to the camera, two wooden needles poking out either side. —Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

The selection of cashmere and thick cable knits skew into jewel tones. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025

Noun

Confetti and firework prints, handwoven fabrics, velvet-like knits, hand pleated glittery taffeta all made for strong, appealing looks. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

The pants feature deep, spacious pockets to hold your phone and other essentials while checking out the sights of your destination, and the top is made from a 100 percent cotton knit that will feel soft and gentle against your skin. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2025

Adjective

What Could Be Made in the U.S. Bayard Winthrop, CEO of the Made in USA brand American Giant, said there’s plenty of capacity to make knit goods, like T-shirts and sweatshirts, in the U.S., even for big brands. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 27 Mar. 2025

Cole Haan Men's Grand Atlantic Sneaker Stylish yet comfortable, these Cole Haan shoes feature a knit upper and a fully padded sock lining for next-level comfort. —Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English knitten, from Old English cnyttan; akin to Old English cnotta knot

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing knit

• cable-knit
• close-knit
• double knit
• knit one's brow/brows
• knit stitch
• tight-knit
• warp knit
• weft knit
• well-knit

Rhymes for knit

• bit
• brit
• britt
• chit
• fit
• flit
• grit
• hit
• it
• kitt
• lit
• mitt

Kids Definition

knit

1 of 2 verb

ˈnit 

knit or knitted; knitting

1

: to form a fabric or garment by interlacing yarn or thread in connected loops with needles

knit a sweater

2

: to draw or come together closely as if knitted : unite firmly

wait for a broken bone to knit

3

: wrinkle entry 2

knit her brow

knitter noun

knit

2 of 2 noun

: a knit fabric or garment

Medical Definition

knit

verb

ˈnit 

knit or knitted; knitting

transitive verb

: to cause to grow together

time and rest will knit a fractured bone

intransitive verb

: to grow together

fractures in old bones knit slowly