Pronunciation: /ˈdʒækˌnaɪf/

Definitions of jackknife

noun a large, strong, pocketknife

Example Sentences

A1 I saw a jackknife on the ground while walking in the park.

A2 The camper used a jackknife to cut some rope for the tent.

B1 The diver performed a perfect jackknife dive off the high diving board.

B2 The chef skillfully used a jackknife to fillet the fish.

C1 The carpenter always carries a jackknife in his toolbox for quick and easy cutting.

C2 The survival expert demonstrated how to use a jackknife for various tasks in the wilderness.

verb to perform a dive in which the body is bent at the waist and the legs are brought up over the head

Example Sentences

A1 He jackknifed his body to avoid hitting the obstacle.

A2 The truck jackknifed on the icy road, causing a traffic jam.

B1 The diver jackknifed off the diving board with perfect form.

B2 The gymnast jackknifed in mid-air before landing gracefully.

C1 The acrobat jackknifed through the hoop with incredible precision.

C2 The professional diver jackknifed off the platform with amazing skill and control.

Examples of jackknife in a Sentence

formal The diver executed a perfect jackknife off the high diving board.

informal I tried to do a jackknife off the pool edge but ended up belly flopping instead.

slang That guy just did a sick jackknife off the cliff!

figurative The company's profits took a jackknife dive after the scandal was exposed.

Grammatical Forms of jackknife

past tense

jackknifed

plural

jackknives

comparative

more jackknife

superlative

most jackknife

present tense

jackknife

future tense

will jackknife

perfect tense

have jackknifed

continuous tense

is jackknifing

singular

jackknife

positive degree

jackknife

infinitive

to jackknife

gerund

jackknifing

participle

jackknifing

Origin and Evolution of jackknife

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The word 'jackknife' originated from the combination of 'jack' meaning small or diminutive, and 'knife' referring to a sharp cutting tool.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe a small, pocket-sized folding knife, 'jackknife' evolved to also refer to a type of dive where the body is bent at the waist and the legs are brought up towards the chest before straightening out again.