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Definition of knothead

knothead

/ˈnɑːtˌhɛd/
knot · head
Plural:knotheads
•
Adjective:knotheaded
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knothead Lexical Profile

knothead Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A stupid, slow-witted, or stubbornly foolish person.

Example

"The coach scolded the players for acting like a bunch of knotheads during the final minutes of the game."

2

American A stubborn, untamed, or poorly trained horse, especially in the American West.

Example

"The ranch hand spent all morning trying to saddle a wild-eyed knothead that refused to stand still."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for knothead

• Nearby Words

knockwurst
knoll
knot
knothead
knothole
knotless
knotlike

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in late 19th-century American English from 'knot' (in the sense of a hard, dense lump in wood) and 'head', comparing a slow-witted mind to impenetrable timber.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Knothead. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 4, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/knothead
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