Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

doorknob

/ˈdɔɹ.nɑb/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.65 in modern English

Syllables: door-knob
IPA: /ˈdɔɹ.nɑb/

15

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A circular device attached to a door, the rotation of which permits the unlatching of the door.

noun

A stupid person.

Derogatory; Informal

verb

(especially psychiatry) To suddenly bring up a time-consuming topic when very little time remains to discuss it, often as a tactic to avoid conversation.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place."

Etymology

From door + knob.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈdɔɹ.nɑb/
British English: /ˈdɔː.nɒb/

Usage

Inflected Forms

doorknobs (plural) door knob (alternative) door-knob (alternative) doorknobs (present, singular) doorknobbing (participle, present) doorknobbed (participle, past) doorknobbed (past)

Derived Forms

doorknobbed doorknoblike

Phrases

dead as a doorknob deaf as a doorknob doorknob complaint doorknob phenomenon doorknob question doorknob statement dumb as a doorknob door handle

Frequently Paired Words

door handle

Synonyms

doorhandle

Questions

How do you pronounce doorknob?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈdɔɹ.nɑb/.
What does doorknob mean?: A circular device attached to a door, the rotation of which permits the unlatching of the door.
Where does doorknob come from?: From door + knob.

How to pronounce doorknob

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “doorknob”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈdɔɹ.nɑb/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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