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

With luxe-looking fabrics like French terry and scuba knit promoting sweatshirts and joggers to daywear status, loungewear has never looked more luxe and polished. —Miles Walls, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024

The sweater is expertly knit from the finest Italian cashmere in a London workshop. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 25 Oct. 2024

Noun

Referencing effortless muses like Kurt Cobain and Chloë Sevigny, the grungy line-up featured distressed fabrics, patchwork denim, oversized knits, lace and layered looks all well executed in an accessible riff on the Y2K aesthetic. —Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Fair Isle knits came to fame under an earlier Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) in the 1920s, and have remained a favorite of the historically sporty British royal family ever since. —Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Unlike the attendees at Trump rallies, with their one-note MAGA caps, the Harris crowd furnished a symphony of headgear, from the viral Harris-Walz camo hats to hijabs to a sapphire fascinator to pink knit caps emblazoned with the candidates’ names. —Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024

Chunky sweaters, knit hats and fluffy slippers are all items that can be worn while eating copious amounts of pasta. —Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

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

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