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Definition of knurled

knurled

/nɝːld/
knurled
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knurled Lexical Profile

knurled Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having a pattern of small ridges, beads, or crosshatched grooves formed or milled onto a surface, especially on metal tools, knobs, or fasteners, to provide a secure, non-slip grip.

Example

"The machinist tightened the knurled brass thumbscrew by hand without needing a wrench."

2

Full of knots, bumps, or twisted projections, especially of wood, tree bark, or aged hands; gnarled.

Example

"The ancient oak had a thick, knurled trunk that had withstood centuries of coastal winds."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for knurled

• Nearby Words

knuckleduster
knucklehead
knuckleheaded
knurled
ko
koa
koala

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the noun 'knurl' (a small knot, ridge, or projection), likely related to Middle English 'knarre' (a knot in wood or stone) and Low German 'knurre' (a knot or excrescence).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Knurled. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/knurled
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