knack

Meaning

Noun

1. A readiness in performance; aptness at doing something.
2. A petty contrivance; a toy.
3. Something performed, or to be done, requiring aptness and dexterity.

Verb

1. (UK, dialectal, obsolete) To crack; to make a sharp, abrupt noise; to chink.
2. To speak affectedly.

Synonyms

skill

ability

aptitude

trick

talent

hang

faculty

craft

secret

㊙️

flair

dexterity

experience

mastery

hand

✋

masterliness

forte

bent

technique

grip

proficiency

capacity

adeptness

key

🔑

know-how

slickness

genius

gift

🎁

gimmick

hocus pocus

impetus

knap

knickknack

liveliness

manner

mood

nicknack

pitch

power

practice

promptness

prowess

quickness

realisation

realization

rhythm

ropes

ruse

smartness

state of health

strain

Translations

maña

talent

Kniff

chic

abilità

δεξιοτεχνία

aptitude

destrezza

tino

talento

knack

habilitat

don

🎁

Fertigkeit

ικανότητα

Pronounced as (IPA)

/næk/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: krak

Cognate with German: knacken

In summary

Use as "special skill" from 1580. Possibly from 14th century Middle English krak (“a sharp blow”), knakke, knakken, from Middle Low German, by onomatopoeia. Latter cognate to German knacken (“to crack”). See also crack.