First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
knack
noun \ˈnak\
: an ability, talent, or special skill needed to do something
Full Definition of KNACK
1
a : a clever trick or stratagem b : a clever way of doing something
2
: a special ready capacity that is hard to analyze or teach
3
archaic : an ingenious device; broadly : toy, knickknack
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Origin of KNACK
Middle English knak
Related to KNACK
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
KNACK Defined for Kids
knack
noun \ˈnak\
Definition of KNACK for Kids
1
: a natural ability : talent <She has a knack for making friends.>
2
: a clever or skillful way of doing something : trick <Skating is easy once you get the knack.>
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