knockoff

1 of 2

noun

knock·​off ˈnäk-ˌȯf How to pronounce knockoff (audio)
: a copy that sells for less than the original
broadly : a copy or imitation of someone or something popular

knock off

2 of 2

verb

knocked off; knocking off; knocks off

intransitive verb

: to stop doing something

transitive verb

1
: to do hurriedly or routinely
knocked off one painting after another
2
: discontinue, stop
knocked off work at five
3
: deduct
knocked off a little to make the price more attractive
4
a
: kill
knocked off two men … on mercenary groundsLewis Baker
b
: overcome, defeat
knocked off each center of rebellion
5
: rob
knocked off a couple of banks
6
: to make a knockoff of : copy, imitate
knocks off popular dress designs

Examples of knockoff in a Sentence

Noun That purse is a knockoff. Verb decided it was time to knock off telling fantastic fibs about her family background a proposal to knock 10 cents off the gasoline tax
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The video platform has quickly become one of the most popular apps in the U.S., with its short-form, music-laden videos sparking knockoffs from Meta (Reels) and Google (YouTube Shorts). Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 When press reports of AI knockoffs surface — an increasingly common occurrence — Amazon often removes the books in question from its site, and sometimes others along with them. Will Oremus, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 The officials displayed a table piled high with knockoff sports memorabilia including jerseys, T-shirts, caps, beanies and a sparkling silver replica of the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy. Ken Ritter, Quartz, 6 Feb. 2024 Ted’s Bulletin, a popular chain in the D.C. area, has been selling their knockoff, Ted’s Tarts, for years. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 Chanel does not take kindly to anyone who encourages knockoffs of their iconic handbags. Susan Howson, Quartz, 11 Feb. 2024 Laura Lamb/Instagram At $150, the Sam's Club knockoff, called the Azalea Park Filigree Floor Mirror, and named after a neighborhood in Orlando, Florida, also retails for a fraction of the weightier Anthropologie mirror. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2024 Long perceived as an inferior knockoff of Scotch whisky, Japanese whiskies have also experienced price surges. Hovig Tchalian, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2023 Apparently Utopia is just a knockoff ECW pay-per-view. Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 5 Feb. 2024
Verb
On average a 13 seed knocks off a 4 seed about once per tournament. USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Earlier, the Patriots knocked off defending league champion Granada Hills. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Developing technologies like electric vehicles, advanced microchips and software are turning what was once a steady, slow-moving sector into a dynamic industry in which even fast-moving and well-run manufacturers can be knocked off course. Neal E. Boudette, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Benjamin gets state started, knocks off Gordon For the first time in program history, the Benjamin Mustangs are galloping to the boys basketball state championship. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2024 Boise State knocked off the-No. 17 Colorado State at ExtraMile Arena on Jan. 9. Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2024 During one night ride, Robert got knocked off his horse. Kc Cole, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Softball Garden Grove Pacifica is headed to Arizona for a big tournament after knocking off Los Alamitos 5-2 to go to 3-0. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 The two teams met in Fort Worth Jan. 20 with the Cyclones knocking off the Horned Frogs 73-72 in Iowa State's second win over a top-25 opponent this season. Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knockoff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1966, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1649, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of knockoff was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near knockoff

knock off

knockoff

knock on

Cite this Entry

“Knockoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knockoff. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

knock off

verb
: to stop doing something
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!