How to Pronounce Kneejerk

To pronounce "kneejerk", say KNEEJ-erk — 2 syllables. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

kneejerk

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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2

Syllables

8

Letters

KNEEJ-erk

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💡 Tip for remembering “kneejerk”

"kneejerk" has 2 syllables: kneej-erk.

What does kneejerk mean?

noun

  1. A sudden reflexive movement of the leg below the knee, as a reaction to a tap to the tendon just below the patella (kneecap).

adjective

  1. Unthinking, not carefully considered, (nearly) automatic, spontaneous, easily predictable

    “He gave a knee-jerk response.”

Synonyms

kneejerk reflexpatellar reflex

Related words

off-handknockkneedkneedeeptear-jerkingkeckhandedsuddentkack-handedcackhanded

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "kneejerk"?▾

"Kneejerk" has 2 syllables: kneej · erk.

What does "kneejerk" mean?▾

Kneejerk: A sudden reflexive movement of the leg below the knee, as a reaction to a tap to the tendon just below the patella (kneecap).

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