A silent ⟨k⟩ occurs when the letter ⟨k⟩ occurs in a word but does not actually reflect the pronunciation of a voiceless velar plosive (/k/), or any sound for that matter. A silent ⟨k⟩ is quite common in the English language, most often preceding an ⟨n⟩ at the beginning of a word. There are rare exceptions to this rule; one example is Knoebels Grove located in Pennsylvania.
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In Old English the ⟨k⟩ was not silent. Cognates in other Germanic languages show that the ⟨k⟩ was likely a voiceless velar plosive in Proto-Germanic (compare German Knecht to knight, Knoten to knot, etc.).
Following is a list of words that include a silent ⟨k⟩: