Knack

Pronunciation

• IPA: /næk/
• Rhymes: -æk

Origin

Use as "special skill" from 1580.

Online Etymology Dictionary

Possibly from 14th century Middle English krak ("a sharp blow"), knakke, knakken, from Middle Low German, by (onomatopoeia). Latter cognate to German knacken ("to crack"). See also crack.

Full definition of knack

Noun

1. A readiness in performance; aptness at doing something; skill; facility; dexterity.
• 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. Stephanus pagination.The sophist runs for conver to the darkness of what is not and attaches himself to it by some knack of his;
• 2011, October 2, Jonathan Jurejko, Bolton 1–5 Chelsea, And the Premier League's all-time top-goalscoring midfielder proved he has not lost the knack of being in the right place at the right time with a trio of clinical finishes.
2. A petty contrivance; a toy; a plaything; a knickknack.
3. Something performed, or to be done, requiring aptness and dexterity; a trick; a device.

Verb

1. (obsolete, UK, dialect) To crack; to make a sharp, abrupt noise; to chink.
2. To speak affectedly.