knockoff

1 of 2

noun

knock·​off ˈnäk-ˌȯf How to pronounce knockoff (audio)
: 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 groundsLewis 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

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
Ted’s Bulletin, a popular chain in the D.C. area, has been selling their knockoff, Ted’s Tarts, for years. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 Chanel does not take kindly to anyone who encourages knockoffs of their iconic handbags. Susan Howson, Quartz, 11 Feb. 2024 Laura Lamb/Instagram At $150, the Sam's Club knockoff, called the Azalea Park Filigree Floor Mirror, and named after a neighborhood in Orlando, Florida, also retails for a fraction of the weightier Anthropologie mirror. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2024 Long perceived as an inferior knockoff of Scotch whisky, Japanese whiskies have also experienced price surges. Hovig Tchalian, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2023 Apparently Utopia is just a knockoff ECW pay-per-view. Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 5 Feb. 2024 Researchers did not examine how living inside these knockoff shells might affect hermit crab health or evolution. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Feb. 2024 But users have complained about counterfeit and knockoff products sold on TikTok’s marketplace. Alex Barinka, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2024 Costco and Sam's Club shoppers are rushing to buy knockoff versions of a pricey Anthropologie mirror that has gone viral online. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2024
Verb
During one night ride, Robert got knocked off his horse. Kc Cole, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Softball Garden Grove Pacifica is headed to Arizona for a big tournament after knocking off Los Alamitos 5-2 to go to 3-0. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 The two teams met in Fort Worth Jan. 20 with the Cyclones knocking off the Horned Frogs 73-72 in Iowa State's second win over a top-25 opponent this season. Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Image: Ford The premium trims with extended range batteries, both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, are getting the biggest discounts of $8,100 knocked off the sticker price. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 20 Feb. 2024 Severna Park 66, South River 63: Severna Park (16-3) won its sixth straight game knocking off South River (16-2). Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2024 That year the Cyclones went 8-5 knocking off No. 3 Oklahoma and No. 4 TCU. Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2024 The Comanches knocked off Newbury Park in the semifinals to advance to the final. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 Pinewood also knocked off Mitty for the CCS Open crown during the spring pandemic season in 2021. Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1966, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1649, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of knockoff was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near knockoff

knock off

knockoff

knock on

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

knock off

verb
: to stop doing something
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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