knowing

American  

[noh-ing] / ˈnoʊ ɪŋ /

adjective

1. affecting, implying, or deliberately revealing shrewd knowledge of secret or private information.

   a knowing glance.

   Synonyms:

   perceptive, eloquent, significant, meaningful

2. that knows; know; having knowledge or information; intelligent.

3. shrewd, sharp, or astute.

4. conscious; intentional; deliberate.

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knowing British  

/ ˈnəʊɪŋ /

adjective

1. suggesting secret information or knowledge

2. wise, shrewd, or clever

3. deliberate; intentional

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noun

1. one cannot tell

Other Word Forms

• knowingly adverb
• knowingness noun

Etymology

Origin of knowing

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English knawynge (earlier knowende, knawande ); equivalent to know ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

"Airbus is taking a conservative approach and is inspecting all aircraft potentially impacted -- knowing that only a portion of them will need further action to be taken," she added.

From Barron's

I’ll always shout “Go Navy! Beat Army!” knowing that the midshipmen and cadets serve a cause greater than self.

From The Wall Street Journal

"He will always be in our hearts and eternally missed. We take comfort knowing that his legacy will live on forever."

From BBC

He will be eyeing beating Norris into the first corner, knowing that, with overtaking so difficult, it might be his only hope of retaining his title chances.

From BBC

I felt comforted knowing that I’m not alone and buoyed by their message that adjusting their mindset gave them strength when they were at the end of their rope.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• insightful
• intelligent
• perceptive
• sophisticated