knot

When rope or string is twisted or tied, it sometimes forms a knot. This picture shows what a knot looks like:

Some knots are useful or necessary:

• Sailors use knots when tying ropes on ships or sailboats.
• Campers use knots when securing tents and tarps.
• A good, solid knot will keep your shoes tied.

However, some knots are not intended and they can cause problems:

• Bob’s Christmas lights are all knotted together in a box. It will take a long time to untangle them. (untangle = remove the knots.)
• Cindy’s unbrushed hair is all in knots.
• I can’t get this knot undone. I’ll have to cut the string.

It’s also possible to use the word "knot" for things other than ropes and string:

• Traffic is in a knot this afternoon due to the construction of a new interchange on highway 94. (Traffic is a mess.)
• Ralph says his stomach feels like it’s all in knots because he has a big test this morning. (Nervousness can sometimes result in physical discomfort, especially in the stomach.)
• Jose and Glenda have decided to tie the knot. (tie the knot = get married.)

Click here to go to the Word of the Day page.

This page was first published on September 26, 2012. It was updated on April 13, 2015.