What does knocked mean?
"Knocked" is the past tense and past participle of "knock," a verb meaning to strike something with a firm blow, usually producing a recognizable sound. It is especially associated with knocking on a door, but it also describes a person or object being struck, displaced, or brought down. In phrases such as "knocked over," "knocked down," and "knocked out," the word can describe physical impact, exhaustion, unconsciousness, or the defeat of an opponent. It also has figurative uses: a person may be "knocked" by bad news, a performance may be "knocked," or a price may be "knocked down." The word is highly versatile in everyday English, appearing in literal descriptions, informal expressions, and established idioms. Its simple past form is used both to report a completed action and to form perfect tenses, as in "she has knocked twice" or "the ball was knocked out of play."
To strike a surface or object with a sharp blow, or to cause something to move or fall as a result of a blow.
"The wind knocked a branch against the window."
Common with particles such as "down," "over," "off," and "out," producing idioms whose meanings may be figurative.
Informal, exhausted, unconscious, or overcome by sleep, illness, surprise, or some other powerful influence.
"After the long journey, I was completely knocked."
This use is informal and is especially common in speech; "knocked out" is the more explicit standard expression.
A knock can be a greeting, an interruption, a warning, or even a sign that a champion has been defeated: the word moves easily from a sound at the door to a knockout.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does knocked come from?
The word belongs to the Germanic family of English verbs for striking or producing a repeated sound. It descends from Middle English "knocken," which continued the Old English verb "cnocian," and is related to cognates in Dutch and German expressing knocking or beating. Modern forms such as "knocker," "knockout," and the compound "knockdown" developed from the same verbal root, while the exact historical development of the sound associated with the word remains less certain.
Related word forms
How knocked is actually used
"Knocked" is neutral in register in its literal sense. Phrases such as "knocked out" and "knocked over" are common in both formal and informal English, while "knocked" meaning exhausted is more informal and often used in North American speech.
Easily confused with knocked
"Knocked" is the past tense and past participle of "knock," whereas "knock" is the base form used in infinitive constructions and in the present tense.