Silent k

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A silent k occurs when the letter k is not pronounced in a word. A silent k is quite common in the English language. A silent K occurs when it is followed by an N in the word.

Contents 1 Etymology 2 Words 2.1 Nouns 2.2 Verbs 2.3 Others 3 See also

[edit] Etymology

In Old English the /k/ was not silent (pronounced dn-, hn-, or tn-) and, as can be seen in other Germanic languages, words with the same root still pronounce the k as a voiceless velar plosive (compare German Knecht to knight, Knoten to knot, et al.).

[edit] Words

Following is a list of words that include a silent k:

[edit] Nouns

• knapsack,
• knar,
• knave (noun),
• knawel (noun),
• knead (noun),
• knee (noun) (and its derivatives, kneecap, kneeboard, etc.),
• knapweed (noun),
• knick-knack (noun),
• knickers (noun),
• knife (noun),
• knight (noun),
• knob (noun),
• knop (noun)
• knop (noun),
• knoll (noun)
• knotweed (noun),
• knout (noun),
• knocker (noun),
• knowledge (noun),
• knuckle (noun),
• knoll (noun)
• knotweed (noun),
• knout (noun)
• knowledge (noun),
• knuckle (noun),
• knurl (noun)

[edit] Verbs

• knack (verb),
• knap (verb),
• knock (verb) (and derivatives, knockout, knockers, etc.),
• kneel (verb),
• knell (verb)
• knit (verb)
• knock (verb),
• knot (verb),
• know (verb) (and its other forms and derivatives, knew, known, know-how, etc.),
• knur (verb),

\knippy

[edit] Others

• knuepple (name)
• knacker (noun, verb),

[edit] See also

• Silent letter
• Silent e