Knot in Irish (Snaidhm): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for knot?

The Irish for knot is snaidhm (pronounced “sneem”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is snaidhmeanna. Depending on context it can also mean tie or knot in wood.

Q: What is the plural of knot in Irish?

The plural of snaidhm is snaidhmeanna; with the article, na snaidhmeanna means “the knots”. The genitive plural is snaidhmeanna, as in cineálacha snaidhmeanna (types of knots).

Q: Does snaidhm have more than one meaning?

Yes. Snaidhm can mean knot, tie or knot in wood, depending on context; the first is the most common. Snaidhm also has its own entry as a verb meaning to knot.

How to say “knot” in Irish

Irish:: snaidhm
English:: knot, tie, knot in wood
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “sneem” /sn̪ˠiːmʲ/

Various forms

Plural:: snaidhmeanna (knots)
Genitive singular:: snaidhme, na snaidhme (e.g. scaoileadh na snaidhme, the untying of the knot)
Genitive plural:: snaidhmeanna, na snaidhmeanna (e.g. cineálacha snaidhmeanna, types of knots)

What does “snaidhm” mean?

“Snaidhm” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

knot: A fastening made by tying a piece of string, rope or thread.Also: tie, hitch.

2 other meanings: tie or knot in wood

2tie: A bond or link that joins people or things together.Also: bond, link, brace.
3knot in wood: A hard lump in timber where a branch once grew.Also: gnarl.

Other entries for “snaidhm”

The same spelling has its own page as:

snaidhmto knot · verb

“Snaidhm” with the article

The plural of knot in Irish is snaidhmeanna. Here is snaidhm after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an tsnaidhm

the knot

Feminine nouns take t before s after an

na snaidhmeanna

the knots

Plural: no change after na

“Snaidhm” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using snaidhm, the Irish word for knot.

Cuir snaidhm sa rópa sin.

Put a knot in that rope.

Níl mé in ann an tsnaidhm a scaoileadh.

I can't undo the knot.

Tá snaidhm in iall mo bhróige.

There's a knot in my shoelace.

D'fhoghlaim na scabhtaí go leor snaidhmeanna.

The scouts learned lots of knots.

Tharraing sé ceann na snaidhme go teann.

He pulled the end of the knot tight.

Cheangail sé snaidhm dhúbailte sa téad.

He tied a double knot in the rope.

Bhí snaidhm ar mo ghoile leis an imní.

My stomach was in a knot with worry.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Knot in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for knot?

The Irish for knot is snaidhm (pronounced “sneem”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is snaidhmeanna. Depending on context it can also mean tie or knot in wood.

How do you pronounce snaidhm in Irish?

Snaidhm is said like “sneem” (IPA /sn̪ˠiːmʲ/).

What is the plural of knot in Irish?

The plural of snaidhm is snaidhmeanna; with the article, na snaidhmeanna means “the knots”. The genitive plural is snaidhmeanna, as in cineálacha snaidhmeanna (types of knots).

Does snaidhm have more than one meaning?

Yes. Snaidhm can mean knot, tie or knot in wood, depending on context; the first is the most common. Snaidhm also has its own entry as a verb meaning to knot.

Why does snaidhm change to shnaidhm?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shnaidhm. After ár (our) it stays ár snaidhm, because s does not take eclipsis.

What is the verb related to 'snaidhm'?

The verb is 'snaidhm' too, meaning to knot or tie, e.g. 'Shnaidhm sé an rópa', he knotted the rope.

How do I say 'tie the knot' (get married) in Irish?

Irish usually just says 'pósadh', to marry; 'snaidhm' is not normally used for marriage, although 'snaidhm an phósta' is found.

Knot in Irish (Snaidhm): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage