knack

noun

1
: a special ready capacity that is hard to analyze or teach
2
a
: a clever trick or stratagem
b
: a clever way of doing something
3
archaic : an ingenious device
broadly : toy, knickknack
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of knack in a Sentence

She has a knack for telling interesting stories. The jazz musician has an incredible knack for improvisation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump’s willingness to take risks, his boldness in appearing in places and situations where the old Republican Party feared to tread, his knack for the memorable photo and cutting riposte have defined his political career and the 2024 campaign. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 2 Nov. 2024 More news: Chiefs vs Buccaneers Expert Predictions for Monday Night Football Week 9 Kansas City also has a knack for finding receivers that end up becoming stars. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Which brings up a second paradox: Dudamel always seems most energized with scores full of rhythmic rattle and percussive excitement, pieces that demand pinpoint exactitude and a knack for assembling large, coherent structures out of jagged shards. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2024 Still, being an independent creator requires not only a willingness to perform but also a knack for the grind of entrepreneurship. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for knack 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English knak

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of knack was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near knack

Cite this Entry

“Knack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knack. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

knack

noun
1
: a clever or skillful way of doing something : trick
2
: a natural ability : talent
has a knack for making friends

More from Merriam-Webster on knack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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