Silent K
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
[edit] Etymology
In Old English the /k/ was not silent (pronounced dn-, hn-, 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
Words which have a silent k include:
- knack (verb),
- knacker (noun, verb),
- knap (verb),
- knapsack (noun),
- knapweed (noun),
- knar (noun),
- knave (noun),
- knawel (noun),
- knead (noun),
- knee (noun) (and its derivatives, kneecap, kneeboard, etc.),
- knock (verb) (and derivatives, knockout, knockers, etc.),
- kneel (verb),
- knell (verb),
- knick-knack (noun),
- knickers (noun),
- knife (noun),
- knight (noun),
- knit (verb),
- knob (noun),
- knock (verb),
- knop (noun),
- knoll (noun),
- knot (verb),
- knotweed (noun),
- knout (noun),
- know (verb) (and its other forms and derivatives, knew, known, know-how, etc.)
- knowledge (noun),
- knuckle (noun),
- knur (verb),
- knurl (noun)
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
