know
1 of 2verb
ˈnō 
knew ˈnü ; knowing
also ˈnyü
; known ˈnōn ; knowing transitive verb
1
a(1)
: to perceive directly : have direct cognition of
(2)
: to have understanding of
importance of knowing oneself
(3)
: to recognize the nature of : discern
b(1)
: to recognize as being the same as something previously known
(2)
: to be acquainted or familiar with
(3)
: to have experience of
2
a
: to be aware of the truth or factuality of : be convinced or certain of
b
: to have a practical understanding of
knows how to write
3
archaic : to have sexual intercourse with
intransitive verb
1
: to have knowledge
2
: to be or become cognizant —sometimes used interjectionally with you especially as a filler in informal speech
knower
ˈnō-ər
noun know
2 of 2noun
: knowledge
Phrases
know from : to have knowledge of
didn't know from sibling rivalry—
Penny Marshall
Penny Marshall : in possession of exclusive knowledge or information
broadly : well-informed
Synonyms
Verb
- comprehend
- grasp
- understand
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb He knows a lot about the history of the town. Do you know the answer? I don't know her name. Do you know what time it is? I don't know the words to that song. They knew a good deal about the problem. She knows the rules of the game. If you want the answer, ask someone who knows. I don't know much about art, but I know what I like. She knows that many people will not believe her. See More
Recent Examples on the WebSarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Feb. 2023 To remain competitive throughout their careers, students need to learn how to prompt an AI writing tool to elicit worthwhile output and know how to evaluate its quality, accuracy and originality. —John Villasenor, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2023 There are a myriad of ways that scientists know greenhouse gas emissions related to human activity are causing global temperatures to rise, NASA climate scientist Josh Willis previously told USA TODAY. —Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2023 While experts know which fungi are best to target, vaccine development has been slow, mostly due to a lack of funding, said Galgiani, who is working to start a trial in humans for the Valley fever vaccine. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 10 Feb. 2023 As Christians probably already know, the Bible makes no mention of a mythical hare who delivers eggs to children on the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection. —Hannah Jeon, Good Housekeeping, 9 Feb. 2023 Let your partner know your plans for the evening to help build anticipation. —Harper's BAZAAR, 9 Feb. 2023 Their bond is indeed so strong that each of Peter’s ex-girlfriends — all of whom dump him after six months — know about Debbie despite having never met her. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2023 Dan Tierney, a spokesman for DeWine, told The Washington Post that the governor didn’t request that the reporter stop his live broadcast or know that the request was being made by police. —Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023 oregonlive, 17 Feb. 2023 According to those in the know, the next M5 remains loyal to the classic steel suspension, but introduces rear-wheel steering, bigger brakes, and optional 22-inch wheels. —Georg Kacher, Car and Driver, 16 Feb. 2023 Matsuhisa, those in the know make their way to Keniche. —Amanda Faison, Outside Online, 6 Jan. 2023 From the University of Central Florida Knights to the University of Florida Gators and Bill Napier, Bianchi kept Orlando Sentinel readers in the know. —Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Dec. 2022 Those in the know compare sake’s current moment to the early years of the craft beer movement. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Dec. 2022 And its timepieces are those in the know will really come to appreciate. —Maverick Li, Men's Health, 20 Dec. 2022 However, for those in the know, the in-jokes and references are a delightful surprise in this ode to the classic studio era. —Tim Moffatt, EW.com, 16 Dec. 2022 Or slipping into an afternoon screening of The Conformist at New York’s Film Forum in a broad-shouldered, floor-length trench that the untrained eye may not recognize but those in the know immediately clock as fresh-off-the-runway Saint Laurent. —Max Berlinger, Town & Country, 9 Feb. 2023 See More
Verb
Supporters say: This bill is needed to keep control of projects in the state because Indiana utilities know the system best. —Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Feb. 2023 To remain competitive throughout their careers, students need to learn how to prompt an AI writing tool to elicit worthwhile output and know how to evaluate its quality, accuracy and originality. —John Villasenor, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2023 There are a myriad of ways that scientists know greenhouse gas emissions related to human activity are causing global temperatures to rise, NASA climate scientist Josh Willis previously told USA TODAY. —Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2023 While experts know which fungi are best to target, vaccine development has been slow, mostly due to a lack of funding, said Galgiani, who is working to start a trial in humans for the Valley fever vaccine. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 10 Feb. 2023 As Christians probably already know, the Bible makes no mention of a mythical hare who delivers eggs to children on the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection. —Hannah Jeon, Good Housekeeping, 9 Feb. 2023 Let your partner know your plans for the evening to help build anticipation. —Harper's BAZAAR, 9 Feb. 2023 Their bond is indeed so strong that each of Peter’s ex-girlfriends — all of whom dump him after six months — know about Debbie despite having never met her. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2023 Dan Tierney, a spokesman for DeWine, told The Washington Post that the governor didn’t request that the reporter stop his live broadcast or know that the request was being made by police. —Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023 Noun
Most Southwest Portland residents are in the know about Sho Japanese Restaurant (10110 Barbur Blvd.). —oregonlive, 17 Feb. 2023 According to those in the know, the next M5 remains loyal to the classic steel suspension, but introduces rear-wheel steering, bigger brakes, and optional 22-inch wheels. —Georg Kacher, Car and Driver, 16 Feb. 2023 Matsuhisa, those in the know make their way to Keniche. —Amanda Faison, Outside Online, 6 Jan. 2023 From the University of Central Florida Knights to the University of Florida Gators and Bill Napier, Bianchi kept Orlando Sentinel readers in the know. —Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Dec. 2022 Those in the know compare sake’s current moment to the early years of the craft beer movement. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Dec. 2022 And its timepieces are those in the know will really come to appreciate. —Maverick Li, Men's Health, 20 Dec. 2022 However, for those in the know, the in-jokes and references are a delightful surprise in this ode to the classic studio era. —Tim Moffatt, EW.com, 16 Dec. 2022 Or slipping into an afternoon screening of The Conformist at New York’s Film Forum in a broad-shouldered, floor-length trench that the untrained eye may not recognize but those in the know immediately clock as fresh-off-the-runway Saint Laurent. —Max Berlinger, Town & Country, 9 Feb. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Old English cnāwan; akin to Old High German bichnāan to recognize, Latin gnoscere, noscere to come to know, Greek gignōskein
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)
Noun
1592, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing know
Kids Definition
know
1 of 2 verb ˈnō
knew ˈn(y)ü ; known ˈnōn ; knowing
; known ˈnōn ; knowing 1
a
: to have understanding of
know yourself
b
: to recognize the nature of
knew them to be honest
2
a
: to recognize the identity of
knew me by my walk
b
: to be acquainted or familiar with
knows the city very well
3
a
: to be aware of the truth of
know that the earth is round
b
: to have a practical understanding of
knows how to write
4
: to have information or knowledge
ask someone who knows
5
: to be or become aware
knew about the problem
knowable
ˈnō-ə-bəl
adjective knower
ˈnō(-ə)r
noun know
2 of 2 noun : the fact of knowing : knowledge
know 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to understand
to have a practical understanding of a career diplomat who knows several languages a fan who really knows baseball Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- understand
- comprehend
- grasp
- appreciate
- fathom
- perceive
- possess
- apprehend
- have
- savvy
- follow
- cognize
- ken
- catch on (to)
- pick up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- misunderstand
- misinterpret
- misapprehend
- misconceive
- misperceive
- misknow
2
as in to experience
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it knows full well how nerve-racking it can be to speak in public Synonyms & Similar Words
- experience
- have
- see
- undergo
- feel
- endure
- witness
- suffer
- taste
- sustain
- encounter
- receive
- pass
- accept
- go through
- meet
- digest
- assimilate
3
as in to see
to have a clear idea of I think I know what you're trying to say Synonyms & Similar Words
- understand
- see
- recognize
- appreciate
- decipher
- comprehend
- realize
- grasp
- get
- discern
- sense
- perceive
- conceive
- apprehend
- dig
- intuit
- make
- behold
- savvy
- assimilate
- register
- seize
- grok
- catch
- cognize
- make out
- decode
- twig
- fathom
- pick up on
- compass
- tumble (to)
- catch on (to)
- cotton (to or on to)
- absorb
- digest
- take in
- penetrate
- pierce
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- miss
- misunderstand
- misread
- misinterpret
- misconstrue
- mistake
- misconceive
- misapprehend
- misperceive
know
2 of 2noun
as in information
Synonyms & Similar Words
- information
- news
- evidence
- knowledge
- facts
- science
- learning
- skinny
- data
- dope
- lowdown
- acquaintance
- awareness
- lore
- intelligence
- wisdom
- literacy
- expertise
- familiarity
- scholarship
- erudition
- know-how
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignorance
- inexperience
- unfamiliarity
- innocence
- nescience