This list includes 60 Nouns that start with K, from “kale” to “kumquat”. They cover common foods, objects, names, and abstract concepts useful in everyday language. You can use this list for vocabulary study, writing, lesson planning, and quick reference.
Nouns that start with K are words that name people, places, objects, foods, or ideas beginning with the letter K. Some reflect historical roots or borrowings; “king” remains a prominent cultural example.
Below you’ll find the table with the columns “Noun”, “Definition”, and “Example sentence”.
Noun: The word entry itself, so you can scan and locate each K noun quickly for study or reference.
Definition: A concise one-line meaning that helps you understand usage and choose the correct noun in context.
Example sentence: A short, natural sentence showing how to use the noun in everyday speech, useful for learners and writers.
Nouns that start with K
| Noun | Definition | Category | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| kangaroo | large Australian marsupial that hops on powerful hind legs | animal | The kangaroo bounded across the open field this morning. |
| kale | leafy green vegetable with curly or flat leaves | food | She added chopped kale to the soup for flavor. |
| kebab | pieces of meat or vegetables grilled on a skewer | food | We ordered a lamb kebab with salad and pita bread. |
| kettle | container used for boiling water, usually with a spout | object | The kettle whistled when the water reached boiling point. |
| key | small metal instrument used to open locks or start devices | object | She dropped the house key into the muddy puddle. |
| keyboard | set of keys for typing, on computer or instrument | object | He typed the report quickly on his laptop keyboard. |
| keyhole | small opening in a lock where a key is inserted | object | He peered through the keyhole to see the room. |
| kid | child or young goat; informal term for a child | person | The kid laughed loudly while playing in the park. |
| kidney | organ that filters blood and produces urine | body | She donated one kidney to her grateful sibling yesterday. |
| kimono | traditional Japanese long robe with wide sleeves | clothing | She wore a silk kimono to the cultural festival yesterday. |
| kind | a type or variety; category or class | concept | She prefers this kind of coffee in the morning. |
| king | male sovereign or monarch of a territory | person | The king addressed the nation in a solemn televised speech. |
| kingdom | country ruled by a king or queen; domain | place | The ancient kingdom stretched across mountains and fertile valleys. |
| kiosk | small stand or booth for selling goods or services | place | She bought a newspaper at the small station kiosk. |
| kiss | touch with lips expressing affection or greeting | action | He gave his grandmother a warm kiss before leaving. |
| kit | set of tools or equipment for a specific purpose | object | The first-aid kit contained bandages and antiseptic wipes. |
| kitchen | room where food is prepared and cooked | place | We painted the kitchen walls a bright sunny yellow today. |
| kitten | young cat | animal | The kitten chased a ball of yarn across the floor. |
| kite | light frame covered with paper or fabric flown in wind | toy | He flew the colorful kite above the windy seaside cliffs today. |
| kilogram | metric unit of mass equal to 1,000 grams | measure | The package weighed exactly one kilogram on the scale. |
| kilometer | metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters | measure | We walked five kilometers along the coastal trail yesterday afternoon. |
| kiln | oven used for firing pottery or baking bricks | object | The potter placed the vase carefully into the large kiln. |
| knob | rounded handle or control switch on a door or device | object | Turn the thermostat knob clockwise to raise the temperature. |
| knot | fastening made by tying rope or string | object | He tied a secure knot to hold the climbing rope tight. |
| knuckle | joint of a finger where bones meet | body | He cracked his knuckle during the tense card game. |
| knife | cutting tool with a sharp blade and handle | object | Pass the sharp kitchen knife carefully so I can slice. |
| knapsack | bag carried on the back for carrying items | object | She packed her laptop into the old leather knapsack before travelling. |
| knoll | small rounded hill or mound | place | They picnicked on the grassy knoll under the big oak tree. |
| koala | arboreal Australian marsupial that eats eucalyptus leaves | animal | The koala clung quietly to the eucalyptus tree all day. |
| koi | colorful ornamental carp kept in ponds | animal | The koi swam slowly beneath the floating lily pads today. |
| kayak | narrow, covered boat propelled by a double-bladed paddle | transport | They rented a kayak for the calm river trip together. |
| karma | spiritual belief that actions influence future consequences | concept | He believed good deeds would improve his karma over time. |
| karaoke | entertainment where people sing popular songs with recorded music | entertainment | We enjoyed karaoke and sang duets until midnight at the bar. |
| kernel | inner edible part of a seed or grain | food | She found a single corn kernel under the table yesterday. |
| keystone | central stone at top of an arch locking its structure | object | The mason fitted the keystone and the arch immediately became stable. |
| ketchup | tangy tomato-based condiment often served with fries | food | He squeezed ketchup onto his fries before taking a bite. |
| kin | one’s family relations; relatives | person | She invited all her kin to the holiday family dinner tomorrow. |
| kitty | small fund of money collected for shared expenses | finance | They put two dollars each into the office birthday kitty. |
| knowledge | information, understanding, or skill gained through experience or study | concept | Her knowledge of history impressed everyone during the discussion today. |
| knack | particular skill or aptitude for doing something easily | skill | He has a knack for fixing old bicycles quickly and quietly. |
| knockout | decisive blow that renders an opponent unconscious; stunning person | event | The boxer scored a knockout in the final round to win. |
| kinship | familial relationship or feeling of connection between people | concept | They felt a strong kinship after discovering shared family history. |
| kaleidoscope | tube with mirrors creating changing colorful patterns when rotated | toy | She peered through the kaleidoscope to view shifting bright patterns. |
| kingpin | chief person in an organization or central bolt in structure | person | He was the kingpin coordinating everyone during the major project. |
| kick | striking motion with the foot; sudden thrill or excitement | action | He scored a spectacular kick that won the championship game. |
| kindness | the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate | trait | Her simple kindness made the difficult day much more bearable. |
| kudos | praise and recognition for an achievement; acclaim | praise | She received kudos from colleagues for completing the project early. |
| kumquat | small citrus fruit with edible skin and tart flavor | food | He bit into the tiny kumquat and enjoyed the tart taste. |
| keel | central structural backbone of a ship’s hull | object | The ship’s keel held firm against the storm’s powerful waves. |
| keepsake | small item kept as a reminder of someone or something | object | She placed the ticket stub in the box as a keepsake. |
| knock | sound produced by hitting a surface, often at a door | sound | Someone gave a loud knock on the front door tonight. |
| kazoo | small simple wind instrument that buzzes when the player hums | music | The child played a cheerful tune on a kazoo. |
| karate | Japanese martial art emphasizing striking and blocking techniques | sport | She started learning karate to build confidence and self-defense skills. |
| keynote | main speech setting the tone of a conference or event | event | The speaker delivered the keynote at the annual conference today. |
| keyword | important word or phrase that captures main topic | concept | Use one keyword for each section when optimizing the article. |
| kerosene | flammable oil used as fuel in heaters and lamps | fuel | The old lamp burned kerosene to provide a warm evening glow. |
| kink | twist, curl, or flaw causing difficulty or obstruction | problem | We fixed the kink in the hose before watering the garden. |
| kitchenette | small kitchen area, often in studio apartments or hotel rooms | place | The studio apartment included a compact kitchenette and small dining space. |
| kneecap | flat, round bone protecting the knee joint (patella) | body | The doctor examined the injured kneecap after the fall yesterday. |
| knight | medieval armored soldier or chess piece moving in L-shape | person | In the story, the brave knight rescued the trapped villager quickly. |
Descriptions
kangaroo
Countable; plural: kangaroos. Iconic Australian marsupial; used in wildlife contexts and idioms.
kale
Uncountable/Countable; plural: kales. Popular leafy green in salads and cooking; hearty, slightly bitter taste.
kebab
Countable; plural: kebabs. Middle Eastern/Asian grilled dish; served on skewers or plates.
kettle
Countable; plural: kettles. Common household item; electric and stovetop varieties; informal register.
key
Countable; plural: keys. Widely used literal and metaphorical sense (e.g., key idea).
keyboard
Countable; plural: keyboards. Computer accessory and musical instrument part; common in tech contexts.
keyhole
Countable; plural: keyholes. Literal lock part; sometimes used figuratively for narrow views.
kid
Countable; plural: kids. Informal for child; also young goat in farming contexts.
kidney
Countable; plural: kidneys. Human/animal organ; used medically and in cooking (kidney meat).
kimono
Countable; plural: kimonos. National garment of Japan; common loanword in English.
kind
Countable/Uncountable; plural: kinds. Broad term for types; everyday usage.
king
Countable; plural: kings. Monarchic title and chess piece; formal register depending on context.
kingdom
Countable; plural: kingdoms. Historical and biological (e.g., animal kingdom) uses.
kiosk
Countable; plural: kiosks. Common in public places for ticketing, snacks, or services.
kiss
Countable/Uncountable; plural: kisses. Everyday affectionate gesture; both formal and informal uses.
kit
Countable; plural: kits. Portable collections (e.g., tool kit, sewing kit); common in instructions.
kitchen
Countable; plural: kitchens. Central household room; used in housing descriptions and real estate.
kitten
Countable; plural: kittens. Young domestic cat; common pet vocabulary for children.
kite
Countable; plural: kites. Recreational toy; also used metaphorically (e.g., get someone off the hook).
kilogram
Countable; plural: kilograms. Standard metric mass unit; common in science and everyday weighing.
kilometer
Countable; plural: kilometers. Metric distance unit; used in travel, running, and geography.
kiln
Countable; plural: kilns. Industrial and craft equipment; common in ceramics.
knob
Countable; plural: knobs. Common hardware component on doors, appliances, and electronics.
knot
Countable; plural: knots. Nautical and everyday uses; also unit in speed (nautical knot).
knuckle
Countable; plural: knuckles. Body part; used in anatomy and casual speech.
knife
Countable; plural: knives. Common utensil with irregular plural; used in cooking and crafts.
knapsack
Countable; plural: knapsacks. Synonym of backpack; more formal or old-fashioned in some regions.
knoll
Countable; plural: knolls. Scenic and literary term for small hills.
koala
Countable; plural: koalas. Iconic Australian animal; marsupial, mostly nocturnal and solitary.
koi
Countable; plural: koi (also kois). Popular pond fish, kept for decoration and breeding.
kayak
Countable; plural: kayaks. Popular recreational boat for rivers and sea; single or double seats.
karma
Uncountable; no plural. Religious/philosophical term used in everyday moral contexts.
karaoke
Uncountable/Countable; plural: karaokes. Popular social activity in bars and parties.
kernel
Countable; plural: kernels. Culinary and computing metaphor (kernel of an idea).
keystone
Countable; plural: keystones. Architectural term used metaphorically for essential elements.
ketchup
Uncountable/Countable; plural: ketchups. Very common condiment; often mass noun in English.
kin
Collective noun; usually uncountable. Used to refer collectively to relatives; informal/formal uses.
kitty
Countable; plural: kitties. Informal pooled money; also slang for small cat.
knowledge
Uncountable; no plural. Broad intellectual term; used in education and expertise contexts.
knack
Countable; plural: knacks. Informal word for talent or aptitude.
knockout
Countable; plural: knockouts. Boxing term and slang for an attractive person; common sports usage.
kinship
Uncountable; no plural. Emotional or genealogical connection between relatives or groups.
kaleidoscope
Countable; plural: kaleidoscopes. Classic toy and metaphor for changing views or variety.
kingpin
Countable; plural: kingpins. Informal term for main person in a group or operation.
kick
Countable; plural: kicks. Sports and informal uses (e.g., get a kick out of something).
kindness
Uncountable; no plural (occasionally “kindnesses”). Everyday moral quality; valued socially.
kudos
Uncountable; no plural. Informal praise; used in workplace and social settings.
kumquat
Countable; plural: kumquats. Small, tangy citrus often eaten whole or used in preserves.
keel
Countable; plural: keels. Nautical term; important in boat design and stability.
keepsake
Countable; plural: keepsakes. Sentimental object saved for memory; common in gift contexts.
knock
Countable; plural: knocks. Everyday household sound; also used metaphorically (pros and knocks).
kazoo
Countable; plural: kazoos. Cheap novelty instrument popular with children and amateur performances.
karate
Uncountable/Countable; plural: karate styles. Martial art and competitive sport; common in recreation.
keynote
Countable; plural: keynotes. Prominent conference speech; used in business and academic settings.
keyword
Countable; plural: keywords. SEO and indexing term; essential in search and writing contexts.
kerosene
Uncountable; no plural. Common household and industrial fuel historically used in lamps and heaters.
kink
Countable; plural: kinks. Informal for minor problem or twist; used in mechanics and systems.
kitchenette
Countable; plural: kitchenettes. Small cooking area; common in small living spaces and hotels.
kneecap
Countable; plural: kneecaps. Anatomical term; commonly used in medical and sports contexts.
knight
Countable; plural: knights. Historical title and chess piece; used in literature and games.