Meaning & use
nock an arrow
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Meaning
verbtransitivetechnical
to place an arrow on a bowstring, ready to shoot.
Grammar: Takes an object: nock an arrow. Often used in the passive or as an instruction.
Patterns
- nock an arrow
- nock an arrow on the bowstring
- nock an arrow to the string
The archer nocked an arrow and drew the bow.
Before shooting, you must nock an arrow correctly.
She nocked an arrow on the string and took aim.
Word forms
| third person singular | nocks an arrow |
|---|---|
| past tense | nocked an arrow |
| past participle | nocked an arrow |
| -ing form | nocking an arrow |
Common combinations
- nock an arrow on the bowstring
- He nocked an arrow on the bowstring and waited for the signal.
- nock an arrow to the string
- The instructor showed her how to nock an arrow to the string.
- nock an arrow and draw
- You nock an arrow and draw the bow in one smooth motion.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- nock noun
- The notch at the end of an arrow that fits on the string, or the act of placing an arrow.
Commonly confused: nock an arrow or knock?
nock an arrow vs knock
Knock means to hit something, while nock is a technical archery term. They sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.
Practice
In archery, what does it mean to 'nock an arrow'?
Choose one answer.
To nock an arrow means to fit it onto the bowstring, ready to shoot. The other options describe different actions like shooting, removing, or preparing the arrow, but not the specific act of nocking.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nock an arrow”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.