The letter K is the eleventh letter of the English alphabet. While verbs that start with K may feel less common than those beginning with other letters, there are still plenty of useful and correct K verbs in modern English. This revised guide focuses on real verbs (not nouns or slang-only items), with clear meanings and natural examples.
Top Common Verbs that Start with K
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Essential “K” Verbs for Beginners
Keep
Definition: To continue having, holding, or maintaining something.
Examples: Please keep this document safe. / We should keep our promises.
Kick
Definition: To strike something with the foot.
Examples: He kicked the ball over the fence. / Don’t kick the chair.
Know
Definition: To have information or understanding.
Examples: I know the answer. / Do you know her name?
Kiss
Definition: To touch with the lips as a sign of love or greeting.
Examples: She kissed her baby goodnight. / They kissed goodbye.
Knock
Definition: To hit a surface to make a sound (often a door).
Examples: Knock before you enter. / Someone knocked loudly.
Knead
Definition: To press and stretch dough with your hands.
Examples: Knead the dough until smooth. / She kneaded bread dough for ten minutes.
Kneel
Definition: To rest on one or both knees.
Examples: He knelt to pick up the keys. / We kneeled in prayer.
Kill
Definition: To cause death; to end something completely.
Examples: The disease can kill. / Let’s kill the rumor quickly.
Key
Definition: To enter information using a keyboard; to make a key cut for a lock.
Examples: She keyed in the password. / The locksmith keyed a new lock.
Kidnap
Definition: To take a person away illegally by force.
Examples: The gang tried to kidnap him. / Police stopped the kidnapping plan.
Academic & Formal Verbs Starting with K
Keynote
Definition: To deliver a keynote speech at a conference or event. (informal/business jargon)
Examples: She will keynote the summit. / He keynoted the opening session.
Kosherize
Definition: To make food or a kitchen follow kosher rules.
Examples: They kosherized the kitchen before the holiday. / The restaurant kosherized its equipment.
Kanbanize
Definition: To manage workflow using a Kanban system.
Examples: The team kanbanized its tasks. / We kanbanized our content pipeline.
Kaizen
Definition: To improve continuously through small steps (business use).
Examples: They kaizened the process over time. / The company kaizens its customer service.
Kernelize
Definition: To apply the kernel trick (machine-learning jargon).
Examples: The data was kernelized for analysis. / The algorithm kernelizes features.
Keratinize
Definition: To become keratin-rich; to form keratin (biology/medical).
Examples: The tissue keratinized. / Cells may keratinize during healing.
Karyotype
Definition: To analyze chromosomes by creating a karyotype (biology).
Examples: Scientists karyotyped the sample. / The lab karyotypes cells routinely.
Kyanize
Definition: To preserve wood by treatment with chemicals (technical/rare).
Examples: The timber was kyanized to prevent decay. / They kyanized the posts.
Kiln-dry
Definition: To dry wood in a kiln.
Examples: The company kiln-dried the boards. / Kiln-dry lumber to reduce moisture.
Kinescope
Definition: To record a television image (historical media term).
Examples: They kinescoped the live broadcast. / Old shows were kinescoped for archives.
Kitemark
Definition: To certify with a quality mark (British usage/brand-like).
Examples: The product was kitemarked for safety. / They kitemark approved devices.
Ken
Definition: To understand or know (literary/rare).
Examples: I can’t ken his logic. / She could ken the danger immediately.
Kvell
Definition: To feel proud and delighted (informal).
Examples: He kvells about his daughter’s success. / I’m kvelling over your progress.
Kibitz
Definition: To chat or give opinions, often while watching a game.
Examples: They kibitzed during the match. / Stop kibitzing and let her decide.
Kowtow
Definition: To act in an overly submissive way.
Examples: He refused to kowtow to unfair demands. / Don’t kowtow to pressure.
Action Verbs that Start with K
Physical Action Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kick | Strike with the foot | He kicked the ball over the fence. |
| Kayak | Travel by kayak | We kayaked across the lake at sunrise. |
| Knead | Work dough by hand | Knead the dough until it becomes elastic. |
| Kneel | Rest on the knees | She knelt to tie her shoes. |
| Knit | Make fabric with yarn | My grandmother knits scarves every winter. |
| Knot | Tie into a knot | He knotted the rope tightly. |
| Knock | Hit to make a sound | Someone knocked on the door twice. |
| Knife | Stab or cut with a knife | The chef knifed the carrots into thin strips |
| Kneecap | Injure by shooting/hitting the knee | The new tariffs threatened to kneecap the small business. |
| Kedge | Move a boat using an anchor | The sailors kedged the boat into deeper water. |
| Keel | Fall over; turn upside down | He tripped and keeled over. |
| Keelhaul | Punish brutally (historical); scold harshly (figurative) | The captain threatened to keelhaul the sailor. (historical) |
| Kayo | Knock out | The boxer kayoed his opponent in round two. |
| Kick-start | Start quickly/energetically | A small grant kick-started the project. |
| Kickbox | Fight using kickboxing | She kickboxes for fitness. |
| Kitesurf | Ride waves with a kite | They kitesurfed along the coast. |
| Kiteboard | Ride using a kiteboard | He kiteboards every weekend. |
| Knuckle | Rub/press with knuckles; apply knuckles | He knuckled his eyes when he woke up. |
| Knobble | Damage or hinder (British informal) | There were rumors that the favorite horse had been knobbled before the race. |
| Kerb | Restrict or limit | The bus pulled up close to the kerb to let the passengers off. |
Mental & Communication Action Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| Know | Have knowledge | I know exactly what you mean. |
| Ken | Understand (rare) | She could ken the truth at once. |
| Kibitz | Offer comments while watching | They kibitzed during the card game. |
| Kibosh | Put an end to | The manager put the kibosh on the plan. |
| Kvetch | Complain | He kvetches about traffic every day. |
| Kvell | Express pride | Grandparents often kvell about their grandchildren. |
| Key | Enter data | Key in your email address here. |
| Keyword | Tag with keywords | We keyworded the article for SEO. |
| Kick off | Start an event | We’ll kick off the workshop at 9 a.m. |
| Keep up | Continue at the same pace | It’s hard to keep up with the news. |
Positive Verbs that Start with K
Verbs for Success and Achievement
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| Keep | Maintain; continue | Keep working and you’ll improve. |
| Kick-start | Start strongly | The new campaign kick-started sales. |
| Key | Enter important data | She keyed the final results into the system. |
| Kaizen | Improve continuously | We kaizen our workflow every month. |
| Kitemark | Certify quality | The lab kitemarked the product for safety. |
Verbs for Feelings and Relationships
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kiss | Show affection | He kissed her gently on the cheek. |
| Know | Be familiar with | I’ve known him for years. |
| Kvell | Feel proud | She kvells when her team wins. |
Important Phrasal Verbs Starting with K
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Keep” and “Kick”
Keep up
Meaning: Continue at the same level or pace.
Example: Keep up the good work!
Keep on
Meaning: Continue doing something.
Example: She kept on talking even after the bell rang.
Keep off
Meaning: Stay away from something.
Example: Keep off the wet paint.
Keep out
Meaning: Prevent someone from entering.
Example: They put up a sign to keep people out.
Keep in
Meaning: Prevent someone from leaving; include information.
Example: The teacher kept the students in after class.
Keep down
Meaning: Control; suppress; stop from rising.
Example: Try to keep your voice down.
Kick off
Meaning: Start an event.
Example: The show kicks off at 7 p.m.
Kick back
Meaning: Relax.
Example: Let’s kick back and watch a movie.
Kick in
Meaning: Begin to take effect.
Example: The medicine kicked in after 20 minutes.
Kick out
Meaning: Force someone to leave.
Example: He got kicked out of the club.
Comprehensive List of Verbs that Start with K
| Verb | Pronunciation | Simple Definition |
|---|---|---|
| kayak | /ˈkaɪæk/ | travel by kayak |
| keep | /kiːp/ | maintain; retain |
| keep up | /kiːp ʌp/ | continue at same pace |
| keep on | /kiːp ɒn/ | continue doing |
| keep off | /kiːp ɒf/ | stay away |
| keep out | /kiːp aʊt/ | prevent entry |
| keep in | /kiːp ɪn/ | restrain; include |
| keep down | /kiːp daʊn/ | control; suppress |
| keep back | /kiːp bæk/ | hold back |
| keep away | /kiːp əˈweɪ/ | avoid; prevent approach |
| keep up with | /kiːp ʌp wɪð/ | stay informed; match pace |
| key | /kiː/ | enter data; make a key |
| key in | /kiː ɪn/ | type into a device |
| key up | /kiː ʌp/ | stimulate; prepare |
| keyword | /ˈkiːwɜːd/ | tag with keywords |
| keystroke | /ˈkiːstrəʊk/ | press keys (compute) |
| keynote | /ˈkiːnəʊt/ | deliver keynote speech |
| keypunch | /ˈkiːpʌntʃ/ | enter data (old systems) |
| kick | /kɪk/ | strike with foot |
| kick off | /kɪk ɒf/ | begin an event |
| kick back | /kɪk bæk/ | relax |
| kick in | /kɪk ɪn/ | start to take effect |
| kick out | /kɪk aʊt/ | force to leave |
| kick-start | /ˈkɪk stɑːt/ | start quickly |
| kickstart | /ˈkɪk stɑːt/ | start quickly |
| kickbox | /ˈkɪkbɒks/ | fight in kickboxing |
| kickflip | /ˈkɪkflɪp/ | do a skateboard trick |
| kid | /kɪd/ | joke; tease |
| kidnap | /ˈkɪdnæp/ | abduct |
| kill | /kɪl/ | cause death; end |
| kill off | /kɪl ɒf/ | eliminate completely |
| killfile | /ˈkɪlfaɪl/ | filter out messages (tech) |
| kindle | /ˈkɪndl/ | ignite; inspire |
| kiss | /kɪs/ | touch with lips |
| knead | /niːd/ | work dough |
| kneel | /niːl/ | rest on knees |
| knit | /nɪt/ | make fabric |
| knit together | /nɪt təˈɡeðə/ | unite; join closely |
| knit up | /nɪt ʌp/ | heal; close up (wound) |
| knot | /nɒt/ | tie into a knot |
| knock | /nɒk/ | hit to make sound |
| knock on | /nɒk ɒn/ | hit (door) repeatedly |
| knock out | /nɒk aʊt/ | make unconscious; impress |
| knock over | /nɒk ˈəʊvə/ | cause to fall |
| knock down | /nɒk daʊn/ | demolish; reduce price |
| knock back | /nɒk bæk/ | reject; drink quickly |
| knock up | /nɒk ʌp/ | wake; make quickly (informal) |
| know | /nəʊ/ | have knowledge |
| know about | /nəʊ əˈbaʊt/ | be informed about |
| know of | /nəʊ ɒv/ | be aware of |
| kowtow | /ˌkaʊˈtaʊ/ | act submissively |
| kibitz | /ˈkɪbɪts/ | chat; offer opinions |
| kibosh | /kɪˈbɒʃ/ | put an end to |
| kvetch | /kəˈvetʃ/ | complain |
| kvell | /kəˈvel/ | express pride |
| kayo | /ˈkeɪəʊ/ | knock out |
| keel | /kiːl/ | fall over; capsize |
| keel over | /kiːl ˈəʊvə/ | collapse suddenly |
| keelhaul | /ˈkiːlhɔːl/ | punish brutally (historical) |
| ken | /ken/ | understand (rare) |
| kedge | /kedʒ/ | move a boat using anchor |
| knot up | /nɒt ʌp/ | tangle; tighten into a knot |
| knife | /naɪf/ | stab/cut with a knife |
| kneecap | /ˈniːkæp/ | injure in the knee (crime) |
| kinescope | /ˈkɪnɪskəʊp/ | record TV image (historical) |
| kitemark | /ˈkaɪtmɑːk/ | certify with quality mark |
| kitesurf | /ˈkaɪtsɜːf/ | surf using a kite |
| kiteboard | /ˈkaɪtbɔːd/ | ride a kiteboard |
| kettledrum | /ˈketld rʌm/ | play kettle drums (rare) |
| kosherize | /ˈkəʊʃəraɪz/ | make kosher |
| kosher | /ˈkəʊʃə/ | make acceptable/legit (informal) |
| kaizen | /ˈkaɪzen/ | improve continuously |
| kanbanize | /ˈkænbænaɪz/ | manage with Kanban |
| karyotype | /ˈkæriətaɪp/ | analyze chromosomes |
| keratinize | /ˈkerətɪnaɪz/ | form keratin |
| karstify | /ˈkɑːstɪfaɪ/ | become karst (geo) |
| kibble | /ˈkɪbl/ | make into small pieces |
| kennel | /ˈkenl/ | put in a kennel |
| knell | /nel/ | ring solemnly (bells) |
| knurl | /nɜːl/ | mark with ridges (tooling) |
| kink | /kɪŋk/ | twist; develop a kink |
| kink up | /kɪŋk ʌp/ | become twisted/tangled |
| kraal | /krɑːl/ | enclose in a kraal (rare) |
| kurbash | /ˈkɜːbæʃ/ | whip; beat (rare) |
| kourbash | /ˈkʊəbæʃ/ | whip; beat (variant/rare) |
| kyanize | /ˈkaɪənaɪz/ | preserve wood chemically |
| kohlrabi | /ˈkəʊlrɑːbi/ | (rare as verb) prepare/eat kohlrabi |
| kalsomine | /ˈkælsəmaɪn/ | whitewash (rare) |
| kalsomine over | /ˈkælsəmaɪn/ | cover with whitewash (rare) |
| ketch | /ketʃ/ | catch (dialect/rare) |
| kype | /kaɪp/ | develop a hooked jaw (fish) |
| knacker | /ˈnækə/ | exhaust; wear out |
| knackered (be) | /ˈnækəd/ | be very tired (informal) |
| knight | /naɪt/ | make someone a knight |
| knuckle down | /ˈnʌkl daʊn/ | start working seriously |
| kinescope | /ˈkɪnɪskəʊp/ | record TV image |
| kiln-dry | /kɪln draɪ/ | dry wood in kiln |
| kebab (rare) | /kɪˈbæb/ | cook/serve as kebab |
| kebob (rare) | /kɪˈbɒb/ | cook/serve as kebab |
| knotwork (rare) | /ˈnɒtwɜːk/ | make knot patterns |
| knotter (rare) | /ˈnɒtə/ | tie knots (rare) |
| knuckle-walk | /ˈnʌkl wɔːk/ | walk on knuckles |
| keyboard | /ˈkiːbɔːd/ | enter using keyboard |
| kitesail | /ˈkaɪtseɪl/ | sail using a traction kite |
| kite-fly | /kaɪt flaɪ/ | fly a kite (rare verb form) |
| kerb-crawl | /kɜːb krɔːl/ | cruise streets slowly (informal) |
| kibbitz | /ˈkɪbɪts/ | variant spelling of kibitz |
| kurbash (rare) | /ˈkɜːbæʃ/ | beat/whip |
| knap (rare) | /næp/ | shape stone by striking |
| knap out | /næp/ | shape (stone tools) |
| karnify (rare) | /ˈkɑːnɪfaɪ/ | make carnified (rare) |
| knee | /niː/ | strike/push with the knee |
| keystamp (rare) | /ˈkiːstæmp/ | stamp by keystroke (tech) |
| kink (hair/rope) | /kɪŋk/ | become twisted |
| kneed | /niːd/ | hit with the knee |
| knock (price) down | /nɒk daʊn/ | reduce the price |
| keep at | /kiːp æt/ | continue working on |
| keep to | /kiːp tuː/ | follow; stick to |
| keep from | /kiːp frɒm/ | prevent from doing |
| keep to oneself | /kiːp/ | stay private/quiet |
| kick around | /kɪk əˈraʊnd/ | discuss casually |
| kick about | /kɪk əˈbaʊt/ | spend time casually |
| kick over | /kɪk ˈəʊvə/ | tip by kicking |
| kick up | /kɪk ʌp/ | cause disturbance/dust |
| know better | /nəʊ/ | be wiser than to do |
| know how | /nəʊ haʊ/ | have skill |
| know what | /nəʊ wɒt/ | be aware of a fact |
| knock about | /nɒk əˈbaʊt/ | spend time casually |
| knock around | /nɒk əˈraʊnd/ | move casually; survive |
| knit (brows) | /nɪt/ | draw together (face) |
| knit (bones) | /nɪt/ | heal and join |
| kink (plan) | /kɪŋk/ | create a problem |
| kibosh (put) | /kɪˈbɒʃ/ | stop completely |
| kondo (informal) | /ˈkɒndəʊ/ | declutter systematically |
| kodak (informal) | /ˈkəʊdæk/ | take a quick photo (rare) |
Confusing K Verbs & Common Mistakes
Know vs. Ken
Know is common and used in everyday English. Ken exists, but it is rare and sounds old-fashioned or literary.
- Know: I know the answer.
- Ken: I cannot ken his intentions. (rare)
Keelhaul (real meaning) vs. “repair a boat” (incorrect)
Keelhaul historically refers to a brutal punishment at sea. In modern writing, it may be used figuratively to mean “punish severely” or “scold harshly,” but it does not mean “restore a boat.”
- Correct (historical): The captain threatened to keelhaul the sailor.
- Correct (figurative): The coach keelhauled the team after the loss. (informal, figurative)
Nitpick vs. “Knit-pick”
The correct verb is nitpick (starts with N), meaning “to focus on small, unimportant faults.” It should not appear in a K-verb list.
Exercises: Test Your Knowledge on “K” Verbs
Fill in the blanks
- Please _____ the door closed when you leave. (keep)
- He _____ the ball into the goal with his left foot. (kicked)
- I don’t _____ the answer, but I can guess. (know)
- She _____ the dough until it was smooth. (kneaded)
- They _____ off the event with a short speech. (kicked)
- We had to _____ up with the fast-paced discussion. (keep)
- Someone _____ on the door, but nobody answered. (knocked)
- He _____ down and finished the report in one hour. (knuckled)
- The medicine finally _____ in after 15 minutes. (kicked)
- The queen _____ him for his service. (knighted)
Match the definition
- kneel
- kidnap
- kick in
- kibosh
- knit
- a. to begin to take effect
- b. to rest on one or both knees
- c. to put an end to something
- d. to make fabric with yarn
- e. to take someone away illegally by force
Answer Key
Fill in the blanks: 1) keep 2) kicked 3) know 4) kneaded 5) kicked 6) keep 7) knocked 8) knuckled 9) kicked 10) knighted
Match the definition: 1-b, 2-e, 3-a, 4-c, 5-d
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