knockers

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralslanginformal

   A rude slang word for a woman's breasts.

   Grammar: Always used in the plural for this meaning; it is slang and can easily offend.

   He made a crude joke about her knockers and everyone went quiet.

   The film's posters were criticized for showing a woman's knockers to sell tickets.

2. 2nounplural

   The parts on a door that you hold and turn or push to open it.

   Grammar: The plural of 'knocker' meaning a door fitting; a door normally has one or two.

   Patterns

   • brass knockers
   • door knockers

   The old house had two heavy brass knockers on the front door.

   She polished the knockers until they shone.

3. 3nounpluralinformaldisapproving

   People who criticize someone or something repeatedly and in a negative way.

   Grammar: Informal and slightly disapproving; usually in phrases like 'the knockers' meaning a group of critics.

   Patterns

   • the knockers
   • knockers of something

   The team's knockers were silent after they won the final.

   Every new idea has its knockers, but this one has worked well.

Word forms

Common combinations

brass knockers

Visitors used the brass knockers instead of the bell.

door knockers

The shop sells antique door knockers in many shapes.

the knockers

The knockers said the plan would never work.

a pair of knockers

There was a pair of lion-shaped knockers on the gate.

Synonyms and how they differ

breasts

The neutral, polite word; use it instead of 'knockers' in most situations.

boobs

Also informal slang, but generally less crude than 'knockers'.

critics

A neutral word for people who criticize; it fits the third sense without the slang tone.

Word family

knock verb

to hit a door or surface to make a noise

knocker noun

a fitting on a door, or one person who criticizes

Commonly confused: knockers or nockers?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “knockers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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