Words / C1

NAK/næk/

A knack is a natural skill or a clever way of doing something: a knack for names, get the knack of it. Skill and talent are everyday; knackered is British slang for exhausted — a lookalike. Knock (already in the dictionary) is hit. Do not call a documented protocol a knack as if nobody else could learn it.

Meaning

A natural skill or a clever way of doing something.

Examples

• “She had a knack for spotting a duplicated n before the press note.”
• “She had a knack for spotting a duplicated n before the press note left.”
• “Skill is everyday. Talent can sound inborn. A knack can be taught (“get the knack”). Knock on the door is different. A checklist is not a mysterious knack.”

Good to know

A handy skill or trick. Everyday: skill. Mix-ups: knackered (exhausted, slang); knock (hit). A protocol can be taught.

Near in meaning

skill

New