Knell vs. Knoll — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
Knell is the sound of a bell, often symbolizing death or disaster, while knoll is a small hill or mound that gently rises from the surrounding land.
Difference Between Knell and Knoll
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Knell refers to a solemn bell sound, typically associated with funerals or signaling the end of something significant. It carries a mournful connotation and evokes a sense of finality. Knoll, on the other hand, is a natural land formation, describing a small, rounded hill or mound. It suggests gentle, peaceful elevation rather than somber implications.
The knell tolls to mark the end of a life or an era, often heard during ceremonies or as a metaphor for doom. Meanwhile, the knoll gently rises from its surroundings, providing a serene vantage point or landscape feature in nature.
Knell often implies a metaphorical signal of decline or catastrophe, like "death knell," symbolizing the end of a period or concept. Knoll, contrastingly, suggests picturesque scenery, commonly appearing in literature to describe tranquil, elevated landscapes.
Knell typically conjures solemnity or tragedy with its mournful chime, while knoll depicts a serene, natural environment often used for contemplation.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Sound of a bell, often for funerals
Small hill or mound
ADVERTISEMENT
Connotation
Mournful, ominous
Peaceful, natural
Usage Context
Funerals, metaphors for disasters
Describing landscapes or geography
Emotional Tone
Solemn, sorrowful
Calm, serene
Example Sentence
"The knell rang out through the town."
"We climbed to the top of the knoll."
Compare with Definitions
Knell
An indication or signal of disaster.
The downturn was the knell for the struggling company.
Knoll
A slight rise in the landscape.
The cottage lay hidden behind a wooded knoll.
Knell
Sound of a bell, usually for funerals.
The knell tolled solemnly at the graveyard.
Knoll
An elevation offering a lookout point.
She climbed to the knoll's peak to watch the sunset.
Knell
A portent of decline or ruin.
His resignation was the knell for that administration.
Knoll
A small, rounded hill or mound.
They sat on a grassy knoll to enjoy the view.
Knell
Knell is a surname, and may refer to:
Knoll
A small rounded hill or mound; a hillock.
Knell
To ring slowly and solemnly, especially for a funeral; toll.
Knoll
A knell.
Knell
To give forth a mournful or ominous sound.
Knoll
To ring mournfully; knell.
Knell
To signal, summon, or proclaim by tolling.
Knoll
To ring or sound (a bell, for example) mournfully; knell.
Knell
The sound of a bell knelling; a toll.
Knoll
A small mound or rounded hill.
Knell
A signal of disaster or destruction.
Knoll
(oceanography) A rounded, underwater hill with a prominence of less than 1,000 metres, which does not breach the water's surface.
Knell
(intransitive) To ring a bell slowly, especially for a funeral; to toll.
Knoll
A knell.
Knell
(transitive) To summon by, or as if by, ringing a bell.
Knoll
(transitive) To ring (a bell) mournfully; to knell.
Knell
(figuratively) A sign of the end or demise of something or someone.
Knoll
(ambitransitive) To sound (something) like a bell; to knell.
Knell
Make (bells) ring, often for the purposes of musical edification;
Ring the bells
My uncle rings every Sunday at the local church
Knoll
(transitive) To call (someone, to church) by sounding or making a knell (as a bell, a trumpet, etc).
Knoll
To arrange related objects in parallel or at 90 degree angles.
Knoll
A little round hill; a mound; a small elevation of earth; the top or crown of a hill.
On knoll or hillock rears his crest,Lonely and huge, the giant oak.
Knoll
The tolling of a bell; a knell.
Knoll
To ring, as a bell; to strike a knell upon; to toll; to proclaim, or summon, by ringing.
Heavy clocks knolling the drowsy hours.
Knoll
A small natural hill
Common Curiosities
Do knell and knoll share any similar meanings?
Not directly, as knell is associated with solemn sounds and knoll with gentle hills.
Can knell be used metaphorically?
Yes, it's often used metaphorically to signify disaster or the end of something.
Does knell always relate to funerals?
Not always, but it's often associated with solemn or mournful events.
Can knell be positive in tone?
It's almost always associated with solemn or ominous undertones.
Is knoll commonly used metaphorically?
No, knoll typically maintains its literal meaning, describing landscape features.
Is knoll typically found in flat landscapes?
Not usually, as it rises gently from the surrounding terrain.
Is knoll synonymous with hill?
It can be, but knoll usually implies a smaller, rounded elevation.
Is knell a noun or a verb?
Knell is both; as a noun, it's the sound itself, and as a verb, it's the action of ringing.
Can knell refer to other bell sounds?
Yes, it can refer to any solemn, repetitive bell sound, even outside funeral contexts.
Is knoll related to any specific geographic regions?
Knolls can be found in various regions and are not region-specific.
Does knell have a specific origin?
It comes from Old English "cnyll," meaning to ring or strike a bell.
Are knells used only in churches?
Not exclusively; knells can also be heard in various other solemn settings.
Is a knoll the same as a hillock?
They are similar, but hillock generally implies an even smaller mound.
Does knell imply a specific bell pitch or tone?
No specific pitch, but it often has a slow, steady, and solemn tone.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Stolid vs. Stoic
Next Comparison
Guidance vs. ManagementAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
