Knell
/nɛl/
nounverbC2
Definition
A knell is a slow, clear sound made by a bell, usually to announce that someone has died or to mark a sad or important ending. When used as a verb, it means to ring a bell in this slow, solemn way.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
The sound of a bell rung slowly to announce death or an end
- •The funeral was marked by the knell of the church bell.
- •The knell echoed through the village, signaling the loss of the old leader.
- •A knell often brings a moment of silence and reflection.
(verb) To ring a bell slowly and solemnly
- •The bell knelled mournfully as the procession passed.
- •They knelled the bell to announce the end of the ceremony.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "knell" like "bell" (A1 word), but a special, slow, and serious bell sound that tells people about death or endings
- ✓Picture a big church bell ringing slowly, with a deep tone that fills the quiet air, making people feel solemn (serious and sad)
- ✓It's the feeling you get at a funeral when the bell tolls to remind everyone of loss and respect
- ✓Sounds like "bell" without the 'b' → imagine a soft, slow bell sound that echoes in a quiet town
- ✓In stories, a knell often signals the death of a king or the end of an important time, creating a mood of sadness or warning
- ✓NOT like "ring" (any bell sound, often fast and happy), "knell" is slow, serious, and connected to death or endings
- ✓NOT like "chime" (light, musical bell sound), "knell" is heavy and slow, making people stop and listen carefully
Try Other Words
- •Toll: the slow ringing of a bell, especially to mark death or a serious event (Use when emphasizing the slow, mournful sound)
- •Ring: to make a bell sound (Use for general bell sounds, not necessarily slow or serious)
- •Chime: a light, musical bell sound (Use for happy or gentle bell sounds)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, root word is "knell")
- •Etymology: From Old English "cnell," meaning the sound of a bell
- •Historical development: Used since early English times to mean the bell sound for funerals or warnings
- •Modern usage: Mostly literary or formal, used to describe slow, mournful bell sounds connected to death or endings
Reflect & Connect
•How does the sound of a knell change the mood of a story or a real event?
•Can you think of moments in your life when a slow, serious sound like a knell would be important?
Fill in the blanks
1.The knell of the bell ___ the sad news of the village elder’s passing.
2.When the bell knelled, everyone stopped talking and showed ___.
3.Unlike a quick ring, a knell is ___ and slow to mark serious moments.
4.The phrase "death knell" means a sign that something is ___ or ending.
5.They knelled the bell ___ at the funeral to show respect.
6.A knell usually ___ feelings of sadness or reflection.
7.When you hear a knell, you can often ___ that something important has ended.