knocker

IPA/ˈnɒkə(r)/
IPA/ˈnɑːkər/

knocker — noun

  • knockersingular
  • knockersplural

1. A metal piece attached to a front door. To signal your arrival, you lift the kno

1.nounB1
Definition

A metal piece attached to a front door. To signal your arrival, you lift the knocker and let it drop back down, making a knocking noise that people inside can hear.

Example

The old brass knocker on the front door was shaped like a lion's head.

shaped like an animal; often decorative

Indra lifted the heavy iron knocker and let it fall three times.

lift + let fall describes the action

Common collocations
  • brass knocker
  • iron knocker
  • heavy knocker
  • lift the knocker
  • let the knocker fall
  • polish the knocker
  • front-door knocker
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a/the + knocker + on + door/building

Common Mistakes

I used the knocker on the doorbell.
I used the knocker on the door.
A knocker is a physical object on a door; a doorbell is a different device.

2. A person who often says negative things about other people or their work, rather

2.nounB2
Definition

A person who often says negative things about other people or their work, rather than finding anything good to say.

Example

The local theatre group ignored the knockers and put on a wonderful show.

ignore the knockers — common collocation

Every new idea has its knockers, but Hiro refused to let them discourage him.

Common collocations
  • ignore the knockers
  • professional knocker
  • a few knockers
  • the knockers said
Synonyms
  • critic

    more neutral and formal; does not carry the same negative tone

  • fault-finder

    similar meaning but less common; focuses on finding small flaws

  • detractor

    more formal; someone who speaks against something publicly

Antonyms
  • supporter

    someone who speaks well of a person or idea

  • fan

    informal; someone who is enthusiastic about something

Grammar Patterns

knocker + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

This sense is most common in informal British English. The word is often used in the plural (knockers) to refer to critics in general rather than a specific person.

Common Mistakes

The knocker on the wall said my painting was ugly.
The knocker at the gallery said my painting was ugly.
The first example sounds like a door knocker is speaking. Use context to make clear you mean a person.

3. An offensive slang word for a woman's breasts. Using this word is disrespectful

3.nounC1
Definition

An offensive slang word for a woman's breasts. Using this word is disrespectful and can be seen as sexist or degrading.

Example

A male comedian was criticised for making jokes about his co-star's knockers on stage.

criticised for using the word — shows social consequences

The network removed the scene after viewers complained about the word knockers.

Grammar Patterns

always used in the plural (knockers)

Usage Note

⚠️ This word is considered offensive and should be avoided in any polite or professional setting. It objectifies women and may cause serious offence. Even as a joke, using this word can damage relationships and reputations. This sense is always used in the plural form (knockers).

Common Mistakes

Using this word in any serious conversation.
Avoiding it entirely
use 'breasts' or 'chest' instead for neutral, respectful language.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Knocker, critic, fault-finder, and detractor all describe someone who expresses negative opinions, but they differ in tone. Knocker is the most informal and suggests someone who complains habitually rather than thoughtfully. Critic is neutral and can be either positive or negative — a film critic, for example, might praise a movie. Fault-finder emphasises someone who focuses on small or unimportant flaws, while detractor is more formal and describes someone who speaks against a person, idea, or product in public. In everyday conversation, if someone just enjoys complaining, call them a knocker. In a formal article about public opinion, use detractor. For a balanced review of someone's work, critic is the safest choice.

knocker ↗critic ↗fault-finder ↗detractor ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • brass knocker
  • iron knocker
  • door knocker

Phrases

  • ignore the knockers
  • professional knocker

Prepositions

  • knocker on the door
  • knocker of new ideas

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Knocker comes from the verb knock (Old English cnocian, meaning 'to strike') combined with the -er suffix that names a person or thing that performs an action. The door-knocker sense dates back to the 1400s, referring to the object used for knocking. The sense of a habitual critic emerged in the late 1800s, describing someone who 'knocks' or criticises others. The offensive slang sense for breasts appeared in the mid-1900s.