knockout

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A knockout is a hit or attack that knocks someone out, making them unconscious. It can also refer to something that's extremely good or impressive.

When we use the word "knockout" in everyday conversation, it usually means something amazing happens and blows everyone away. For example, if a boxer throws a single powerful punch that makes their opponent fall down and stay there, we might say it was a knockout punch. We could also talk about a movie being a knockout – meaning it's incredibly good and entertaining. Sometimes we use the word in sports, like saying a team had a knockout game or a player scored a knockout goal. But even outside of sports, if something is just so awesome that it surprises everyone, we might call it a knockout.

How common is "knockout"?

Word knockout is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

noun

The act of making one unconscious, or at least unable to come back on one's feet within a certain period of time; a TKO.
Example: The boxer scored a knockout on his opponent.
The deactivation of anything.
(informal) Something wildly popular, entertaining, or funny.
Example: If you've ever had a sack race, you know it's a real knockout for kids and adults alike.
(informal) A very attractive person, especially a beautiful woman.
A partially punched opening meant for optional later removal.
Example: They left a knockout in the panel for running extra wires someday.
(genetics) The deactivation of a particular gene.
(genetics) A creature engineered with a particular gene deactivated.
(printing) An event where a foreground color causes a background color not to print.
(sports) A tournament in which a team or player must beat the opponent in order to progress to the next round.
Example: the knockout stages of the competition
(uncountable) A simple game for two or more players, derived from basketball.
(US, professional wrestling, capitalized) A woman in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
Ellipsis of knockout auction.

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Real examples of "knockout" in context

Do Steel Toe Boots Really Protect Your Toes? | MythBusters

Entertainment

To deliver the knockout blow, it's back to the guillotine.

5:44

knockout

How common is "knockout"?

noun

Real examples of "knockout" in context

Do Steel Toe Boots Really Protect Your Toes? | MythBusters

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