Is “knife” singular or plural?
The chef sharpened all his knives before cooking.
She bought a set of new knifes for her kitchen.
Knife is singular; knives is plural.
What’s with the word knife, and why does it behave the way it does from its singular to plural form? Keep reading.
What’s the definition of “knife”?
The online dictionary defines the word knife as “an instrument for cutting, consisting essentially of a thin, sharp-edged, metal blade fitted with a handle”.
What’s the plural of knife?
The plural of knife (knives), is irregular. Though it ends in the regular –es as a plural noun, it does so by replacing its ending (-fe) or singular suffix.
Nouns normally add on the -es/-s to show plurality: books, phones, dogs and cats all put an s to demonstrate a plural noun.
This makes it extremely easy (for the most part) to form a plural noun: just add an s to the singular noun.
Nouns that end in -f usually add -ves as a plural. Exceptions are nouns that end in a stiff -f sound, like cliff and roof, which only add -s.
Nouns ending in -fe/-ves
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| knife | knives |
| shelf | shelves |
| wife | wives |
| wolf | wolves |
Nouns ending in -f/-fe and -ves. Chart by Grammarflex.
Sentence examples with “knife” + “knives”
| Noun: knife | Example sentences |
|---|---|
| knife (singular) |
This knife needs to be sharpened. We usually eat with a knife, fork and spoon. I injured myself accidentally with a sharp knife. |
| knives (plural) |
I’ll get the knives and forks out to set the table for dinner. Knives of any description are forbidden. The men were carrying knives and clubs. |
Synonyms for knife
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| synonyms: knife | blade, cutter, bayonet, scalpel, skewer, sword, scythe, sickle, lance, machete |
Origin of knife
“hand-held cutting instrument consisting of a short blade and handle,” late Old English cnif, probably from Old Norse knifr “knife, dirk,” from Proto-Germanic *knibaz.“
Practice: “Knife”, singular or plural
The chef sharpened all of his ______ before starting to cook.
He used a sharp ______ to cut the rope.
The drawer was filled with forks, spoons, and ______.
Is that a butter ______ or a steak ______?
The collection included several antique hunting ______.
FAQs
What is the plural of knife?
The plural form of “knife” is “knives”. Unlike regular nouns that just add -s, “knife” replaces the ending -fe with -ves to form the plural, making it irregular.
Is “knifes” the correct plural?
“Knifes” is not the correct plural. The correct plural is “knives”. You may see apostrophe ‘s after knife as a possessive noun.
How is the plural “knives” formed?
The plural form “knives” is created by replacing the singular ending -fe with -ves. This makes it an irregular plural, unlike common nouns that just add an -s or -es to show plurality.
When do I use knife versus knives?
Use “knife” for the singular form, referring to one item, like “He accidentally cut his finger with a sharp knife.” Use “knives” for the plural form, referring to more than one, such as “The chef sharpened all his knives before cooking.”
Are other nouns plural like knife?
Nouns ending in -f or -fe, often from Germanic origins, form their plural by changing to -ves. Examples include wolf (wolves), wife (wives), life (lives), and shelf.
Yash, D. How to Use Knife Plural (Examples, Explanation & Worksheet). Grammarflex. www.grammarflex.com/knife-plural/
Sources
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Definition of knife.
Yash, D. "How to Use Knife Plural (Examples, Explanation & Worksheet)." Grammarflex, Aug 24, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/knife-plural/.
