- Silent k
A silent k occurs when the letter "
k " is not pronounced in a word. A silent k is quite common in theEnglish language . A silent K occurs when it is followed by an N in the word.Etymology
In
Old English the /k/ was not silent (pronounced "dn-", "hn-", or "tn-") and, as can be seen in otherGermanic languages , words with the same root still pronounce the k as avoiceless velar plosive (compare German "Knecht" to "knight", "Knoten" to "knot", et al.).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)ee also
*
Silent letter
*Silent e
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