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

I just smiled, knowing what was about to happen before I even handed over my ticket.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m no closer to understanding Dad or to knowing who this band is.

From Literature

When they reached the other side, they climbed about 40 feet above the river, knowing that it could flood.

From Literature

The irony is that, if the game is a bit more even before the break, you are more fired up for the second half, knowing you have got to kick on.

From BBC

"What I want from my players is what I'm seeing, commitment, attitude, mentality, knowing that to win each game quality is not enough, consistency is key... we will work on that."

From Barron's

Related Words

• insightful
• intelligent
• perceptive
• sophisticated