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Definition of knicks

knicks

/nɪks/
knicks
Plural:knicks
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knicks Lexical Profile

knicks Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

American The New York Knickerbockers, a professional basketball franchise based in New York City that competes in the National Basketball Association (usually capitalized).

Example

"They managed to get courtside tickets to watch the Knicks play at Madison Square Garden."

2

British An informal shortening of knickers; women's or girls' underpants.

Example

"She packed several pairs of clean socks and knicks into her overnight bag."

3

An informal shortening of knickerbockers; loose-fitting breeches gathered at the knee.

Example

"The vintage photograph showed golfers dressed in tweed jackets and wool knicks."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for knicks

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse with the homophone 'nicks' (small cuts, notches, or a British slang term for police stations and prisons).

• Rhymes for knicks

• Nearby Words

knickerbocker
knickerbockers
knickers
knicks
knife
knifefish
knifelike

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 20th century by clipping 'knickers' (in British English) or 'Knickerbockers' (in American English, originally from Washington Irving's fictional Dutch historian Diedrich Knickerbocker).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Knicks. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 3, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/knicks
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