knack

noun

1
: a special ready capacity that is hard to analyze or teach
2
a
: a clever trick or stratagem
b
: a clever way of doing something
3
archaic : an ingenious device
broadly : toy, knickknack
Choose the Right Synonym for knack

gift, faculty, aptitude, bent, talent, genius, knack mean a special ability for doing something.

gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

Examples of knack in a Sentence

She has a knack for telling interesting stories. The jazz musician has an incredible knack for improvisation.
Recent Examples on the Web Children of Blood and Bone Author Tomi Adeyemi Has More Fantasy in Store (Exclusive) While remaining true to her knack for high-stakes plots, Ifueko explains that this latest novel also poses important questions amidst the fun. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Although Smith has had the knack for singling out future champions, World Series-caliber clubs aren’t built overnight. Scott Sandulli, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2024 Many returned home after mainland filmmakers and producers developed the knack of making commercial films that the Hong Kongers had been known for, and as mainland China’s film grammar, idiom and subjects evolved on their own track. Patrick Frater, Variety, 16 Feb. 2024 Specifically, the Hornets miss his rim protection and knack for collecting rebounds. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024 Tiffany also counted among his friends the impresario P.T. Barnum, whose knack for creating sensation had rubbed off on him. Robert Klara, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024 Now, Purdy’s superpower is, undoubtedly, a natural talent — a knack that he’s had all his life — but maintaining and harnessing it requires a lot of work behind the scenes. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2024 The series also employs the old device of identifying the killer in the early moments, putting the audience a step ahead of everyone except perhaps Elsbeth, who has a knack for zeroing in on the smallest of clues. Brian Lowry, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Then again, Obst has always had a knack for finding an audience as one of Hollywood’s most prolific female producers. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English knak

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of knack was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near knack

Cite this Entry

“Knack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knack. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

knack

noun
1
: a clever or skillful way of doing something : trick
2
: a natural ability : talent
has a knack for making friends

More from Merriam-Webster on knack

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