knight

/naɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /naɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnīt/ (ame, mw)

knight — noun

  • knightsingular
  • knightsplural

1. In Britain and some other countries, a man who receives a special honour from th

1.名詞B2
釋義

In Britain and some other countries, a man who receives a special honour from the king or queen, giving him the right to put the title 'Sir' in front of his first name. This honour is given for outstanding work in areas such as science, art, or public service.

例句

Sir Nicholas became a knight after thirty years of service to medical research.

collocation: become a knight + service to [field]

After founding a global charity for clean water, Julia was made a knight on the queen's official birthday list.

passive: be made a knight + for founding [charity]

同義詞
  • dame

    the female equivalent of a knight

  • baronet

    a hereditary rank above knight but still addressed as 'Sir'

文法句型

knight + of + place/institution

knight + noun (as modifier)

用法筆記

A knight is addressed as 'Sir' followed by his first name (e.g., 'Sir Paul'), not his surname. The female equivalent is 'Dame'. The title is purely ceremonial and does not give political power. The honour is not passed down to children.

常見錯誤

❌The queen made him a Sir.
✅The queen made him a knight, so he is now called Sir John.
💡'Sir' is a title used with the name, not a rank noun by itself.
❌He was knighted a Sir.
✅He was knighted and became Sir John.
💡'Knighted' already includes the idea of becoming a knight; adding 'a Sir' is redundant.

2. In European history, a soldier of high social class who rode a horse and fought

2.名詞A2
釋義

In European history, a soldier of high social class who rode a horse and fought for a king or lord. Knights wore metal armour and followed a set of rules for brave and honourable behaviour called chivalry.

例句

Each knight trained from childhood with swords and heavy shields in the castle yard.

collocation: train with swords and shields

Medieval knights wore metal armour that could weigh as much as a small adult.

同義詞
  • warrior

    a broader term for any skilled fighter, not tied to European feudalism or social rank

  • cavalryman

    a soldier who fights on horseback, but without the noble rank or chivalric code

  • soldier

    a general term for any army member, regardless of era or social class

文法句型

knight + in + armor/armour

knight + of + place/lord

用法筆記

This sense is the oldest meaning of the word and appears very often in fiction, films, and video games about the Middle Ages. Distinguish from sense 1 (HONORARY TITLE): the medieval knight was a real fighting soldier, not a person given a ceremonial honour.

常見錯誤

❌The samurai was a Japanese knight.
✅The samurai was a Japanese warrior similar to a knight.
💡'Knight' refers specifically to European medieval fighters; warriors from other cultures have their own terms.
❌Knights only fought with swords.
✅Knights used lances on horseback and swords or axes on foot.
💡Their weapons changed depending on the situation.

3. In chess, a small piece shaped like a horse's head. It travels in an L-shaped pa

3.名詞B1
釋義

In chess, a small piece shaped like a horse's head. It travels in an L-shaped path — moving two spaces along a straight line, then one space sideways — and is the only piece able to leap over others that stand in its way.

例句

Adisa moved his knight forward on the board to threaten Minh's rook.

The knight can jump over other pieces, which makes it valuable for surprise attacks.

unique move: jump over pieces

同義詞
  • horse

    informal name for the knight piece, common among beginners

文法句型

move + a/the knight

knight + to + square

capture + with + knight

用法筆記

In casual chess conversation, the knight is sometimes called a 'horse' by beginners, but the standard term in tournament play is 'knight'. Each player starts with two knights.

常見錯誤

❌The knight moves in a straight line.
✅The knight moves in an L-shape: two squares one way, then one square sideways.
💡Its movement pattern is unique among chess pieces.
❌The knight can jump over any piece, including the king.
✅The knight can jump over any piece, but it cannot land on a square occupied by your own piece.
💡Jumping is for passing over, not landing on occupied squares.

4. Describing someone — typically a man — who behaves bravely and kindly toward a p

4.名詞C1
釋義

Describing someone — typically a man — who behaves bravely and kindly toward a person facing trouble or danger. This sense does not involve a real title or a historical fighter; it is about someone who comes to another person's aid in a difficult situation.

例句

When an elderly woman dropped her bags, a young man became her knight and carried them home.

figurative: become one's knight

Adina called her brother her knight after he stayed up all night helping her study for exams.

同義詞
  • rescuer

    neutral term for someone who saves another, without the chivalric or romantic overtones

  • hero

    someone admired for courage or noble qualities; broader than knight

  • protector

    someone who keeps others safe, often used in family or community contexts

反義詞
  • villain

    a person who causes harm rather than helping

文法句型

knight + in shining armour

a/one's + knight

knight + who + rescues/helps

用法筆記

This sense is figurative and less common than the other noun senses. It often appears in the fixed phrase 'knight in shining armour' to describe someone — usually a man — who helps another person in a romantic or dramatic way. The phrase can carry a slightly old-fashioned or humorous tone.

常見錯誤

❌She was his knight in shining armour.' (for a woman)
✅She was his knight in shining armour.
💡Though 'knight' traditionally refers to a man, the figurative phrase is sometimes used for women too in modern language, though 'dame' or 'hero' might fit better.

knight — verb