knave

noun

ˈnāv How to pronounce knave (audio)
Synonyms of knavenext
1
: a tricky deceitful fellow
2
: jack sense 2a
3
archaic
a
: a boy servant
b
: a male servant
c
: a man of humble birth or position

Synonyms

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Examples of knave in a Sentence

he plays the role of the duplicitous knave who tries to foil the play's hero
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The modern health insurer is regarded as either a knave or a pawn and is seldom regarded as a knight. — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 Human beings are motivated by virtue (knights) or rigid self-interest (knaves), or are passive victims of their circumstances (pawns). — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English cnafa; akin to Old High German knabo boy

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of knave was before the 12th century

Rhymes for knave

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Browse Nearby Words

Knautia
knave
knave bairn
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Cite this Entry

“Knave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knave. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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Kids Definition

knave

noun
ˈnāv How to pronounce knave (audio)
1
: rascal sense 1
2
: jack entry 1 sense 5
knavish
ˈnā-vish
adjective
knavishly adverb
Etymology

from earlier knave "a boy servant, a person of humble birth," from Old English cnafa "boy"

More from Merriam-Webster on knave

Nglish: Translation of knave for Spanish Speakers

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