List of Vocabulary Words that start with the letter “K” and their definitions

Categories Vocabulary by Alphabets
Date December 21, 2022

Kaleidoscope – an optical instrument in which patterns are produced by the reflection of light from two or more angled, curved mirrors
Kantian – relating to the philosophy of Immanuel Kant
Kaplan – a standardized test for college and graduate school admissions
Karyotype – the chromosomal makeup of a cell or organism, typically illustrated in a chart or diagram
Karyotypic – relating to the chromosomal makeup of a cell or organism
Karyology – the study of chromosomes and their characteristics
Karyotype – the chromosomal makeup of a cell or organism, typically illustrated in a chart or diagram
Karyotypic – relating to the chromosomal makeup of a cell or organism
Karyology – the study of chromosomes and their characteristics
Kazoo – a simple musical instrument consisting of a thin membrane that vibrates when the player hums into a tube, producing a buzzing sound
Keening – a high-pitched wail of grief or lamentation
Kefir – a fermented milk drink made from a mixture of bacteria and yeasts
Kemble – the stage name of a family of British actors, including Sarah Siddons and John Philip Kemble
Ken – range of what one can know or understand
Kennel – a shelter for a dog or other pet animal
Keratin – a protein that is the main constituent of hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin
Kern – the part of a typeface that extends below the baseline
Kerplunk – the sound made when something falls into water with a splash
Kerseymere – a soft, fine-textured woolen fabric
Kerygma – the central message of Christian preaching, especially that Jesus is the Son of God and savior of humanity
Ketone – a chemical compound containing a carbonyl group bonded to two hydrocarbon groups
Keyhole – a small hole through which a key is inserted to lock or unlock a door or drawer
Keystone – a central or principal stone in an arch, supporting the other stones and holding the whole together
Kibbutz – a collective farm or settlement in Israel
Kibosh – a person or thing that puts an end to something
Kielbasa – a type of sausage, especially a Polish sausage made of pork and spices
Kike – a term used as a derogatory term for a Jew
Kiln – an oven or furnace for burning, baking, or drying something, especially pottery or bricks
Kilobyte – a unit of data equal to 1024 bytes
Kilogram – the base unit of mass in the International System of Units, equal to the mass of the international prototype of the kilogram
Kilometer – a unit of length equal to 1000 meters
Kilowatt – a unit of power equal to 1000 watts
Kinase – an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to a molecule
Kindle – cause to start burning
Kinesthetic – relating to the sense of movement and balance
Kinship – a relationship by blood or marriage
Kiosk – a small structure, typically open on one side, for selling newspapers, cigarettes, or refreshments
Kirsch – a clear brandy made from cherries
Kismet – fate or destiny
kaleidoscope – a toy consisting of a tube containing mirrors and bits of colored glass or other transparent materials, which are used to form changing patterns when the tube is rotated
kamikaze – a person who is willing to sacrifice their own life in order to achieve a goal or objective
kangaroo – a marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea, characterized by a large tail and powerful hind legs used for hopping
kaput – broken or no longer functioning
karaoke – a form of entertainment in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music
kayak – a small, narrow boat with a pointed end and a covered deck, propelled by a double-bladed paddle
kazoo – a small, simple wind instrument consisting of a tube with a hole in it and a thin membrane stretched over the hole
keel – a central beam running lengthwise along the bottom of a ship or boat, providing stability and support
keen – having a sharp or intense desire, interest, or enthusiasm
keg – a small barrel or cask, typically made of metal or wood and used for storing and transporting beer or other alcoholic drinks
ken – range of knowledge or sight
kenning – a compound expression used in place of a single word, especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry
kern – the part of a typeface that extends below the baseline
ketch – a sailing vessel with two masts, the mainmast being taller than the mizzenmast
keystone – a central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the other stones in place and bearing the weight of the arch
khaki – a sturdy cotton fabric of a yellowish-brown color, used especially for military uniforms
kibble – coarsely ground grain or other food for animals, especially cattle and horses
kibosh – an end or stop to something
kickback – a return of a portion of a payment made, especially as a bribe or illegal commission
kidnap – seize and take away by force
kidney – a bean-shaped organ located in the lower back, responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and producing urine
kike – a derogatory term for a Jewish person
kilt – a knee-length garment with pleats, worn by men in Scotland
kin – a person’s relatives, especially those of the same family
kindle – start a fire or cause something to burn
kinesiology – the scientific study of human movement and performance
kinematics – the branch of mechanics that deals with the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion
kinesiology – the scientific study of human movement and performance
kinesthetic – relating to the sense of movement and muscle effort
kingpin – the central or most important person in a group or activity
kink – a twist or bend in something that is otherwise straight
kinship – a feeling of being connected to others through family or shared experiences
kipper – a herring that has been split open, salted, and smoked
kismet – fate or destiny
kiss of death – something that proves to be ultimately destructive or ruinous
kit – a set of equipment or tools for a specific purpose
kitchenette – a small kitchen, typically one that is part of a larger living area