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

"This was a family who did everything in their power to protect their child yet in the end – without even knowing who lives in the house across from them – they lost her," he said.

From BBC

In my case I will be 32 years old, fly fishing the Yakima River as the sun sets—knowing that my wife and 5-year-old child are busy in my streamside home preparing my birthday dinner.

From The Wall Street Journal

That bankruptcy-related delay triggered this unwelcome outcome, so your frustration is perfectly valid, not that knowing that helps you now.

From MarketWatch

“She’s always coming to practice first and leaving last, which teammates respect, but also knowing when to speak up.”

From Los Angeles Times

"I think the accident affirmed what I was always worried about, knowing life can just change in an instant and things aren't always in your control," Judd says.

From BBC

Related Words

• insightful
• intelligent
• perceptive
• sophisticated