knock knock meaning (informal): definition

knock knock

verbalso spelled knock-knock

Informal To knock; to make a knocking sound.

intj

Etymology Onomatopoeic.

Colloquial A verbal emulation of a knocking sound.

Colloquial A phrase used in lieu of knocking on a door.

Colloquial Used to introduce a knock-knock joke.

Knock-knock. / Who's there? / Wendy. / Wendy who? / Wendy you want to open the door?

noun

Etymology Onomatopoeic.

Colloquial Such a sound.

For the Philharmonic and its subscribers, the essential thing was to get the acoustics right, which is a task of near impossible complexity. What kind of space can do justice, say, to the plunks and skittering knock-knocks in Lou Harrison’s Concerto in Slendro and also to the sustained, exalted moan of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony?2003 October 27, Richard Lacayo, “Architecture: The Art of Wrap”, in Time, New York, N.Y.: Time Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 17 Jan 2026:
There are few solid leads, but the possibility of "the wood," a front-page tabloid story, drives him as he makes seemingly fruitless knock-knocks in the neighborhood. "We don't have an address, we don't know if it's racial," he explains to the camera.2006 August 14, David Carr, “Reporters on Film: Drunks and Tarts”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 17 Jan 2026:

1 more example

The jewelry thing is just the first time you’ve noticed the knock-knock of the bigger issues at your door.2023 April 28, Carolyn Hax, “Carolyn Hax: Fiance would rather buy experiences than engagement ring”, in The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 17 Jan 2026:

Colloquial Synonym of knock-knock joke.

In the spirit of Tom Swifties and knock-knocks, John W. Little 2d has invented a word game called the Bridge of Sys.1983 August 3, Georgia Dullea, “METROPOLITAN DIARY”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 24 May 2015:
(see title)1993, Leonard Kessler, Old Turtle's 90 Knock-Knocks, Jokes, and Riddles:

4 more examples

Then here's a collection to last you a lifetime, or until you've driven your parents and friends crazy, whichever comes first. This is the biggest knock-knock treasury you'll ever find1997, Sterling Publishing Company Staff, Fun with Little Giants: Little Giant Book of Knock-Knocks and Little Giant Book of Optical Illusions:
This collection of the crazy and zany is from Bob Phillips—which means everyone who hears these comic gems will laugh hysterically and fall to the ground in awe of the most awesome knock-knocks ever invented.2006, Bob Phillips, Awesome Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids:
Malay, a past president of the American Meteorological Society, compiled some 232 pages of jokes – from knock-knocks to puns to cartoons.2013 December 24, Jason Samenow, “Partly to mostly funny: interview with Jon Malay, author of new weather joke book”, in The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 12 Feb 2022:
There are knock-knocks and you-made-its, hugs and lots of luggage and bottles of wine.2017 November 22, Sam Sifton, “Thanksgiving Leftovers Fit for a King”, in The New York Times Magazine, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 22 Nov 2017:

verb

Etymology Onomatopoeic.

Ambitransitive, Colloquial To make such a sound, as by knocking on (something).

Formally, the poll tax will die today, but it will carry on knock-knocking from the grave.1993 March 31, Jack Straw, “Poll tax dies but haunts democracy: The damage to councils will be difficult to repair, argues Jack Straw”, in The Independent, London: Independent News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 19 Jun 2022:
The reporter also knock-knocked his house.2013 October 27, David Carr, “Gawker Kicks Open the Closet, but Its Disclosure Barely Reverberates”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 31 Oct 2013:

2 more examples

A golden-backed woodpecker knock-knocked on a tree while whistling ducks flew overhead; there were few other people.2019 September 8, Sarah Baxter, “Sun, squats and 'suicide sprints' – is this punishing Sri Lankan retreat worth the sweat?”, in Chris Evans, editor, The Daily Telegraph, London: Telegraph Media Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 21 Mar 2020:
We used a special clicking noise — like a knock-knocking sound. So she'd chat with me and allow me to stroke her beak.2021 February 14, Sam Baker, quoting Christopher Skaife, “Charity that runs Tower of London spent £350K over last five years caring for its famous ravens […]”, in Daily Mail, London: DMG Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 14 Feb 2021:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — authors: page histories for knock knock and knock-knock.