Knell means a slow, serious ringing of a bell, often used to signal death, mourning, or something sad and final. It can also mean a sign that something is ending or about to fail.
In everyday English, people use knell mostly in formal writing, news, or literature. For example, “the knell of the old church bell” describes the sound itself, while “the knell of the company’s decline” means a warning that something bad is happening or may soon end.
Meaning & Usage
Knell is usually used in a serious or emotional way. It often appears when talking about death, loss, endings, or danger. In modern use, it is also common in phrases like “the death knell,” which means a sign that something is likely to fail or come to an end.
Examples
The church bell gave a slow knell after the funeral.
The new rule was seen as the death knell for small businesses in the area.
Is “knell” a common word?
It is not used much in daily conversation, but it is common in books, speeches, and formal writing.
What does “death knell” mean?
It means a strong sign that something is ending, failing, or will not survive for long.
Can “knell” be used outside of bells?
Yes. It is often used figuratively to describe bad news or the end of something important.
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