know

[ noh ]

/ noʊ /

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See synonyms for: know / knew / knowing / known on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), knew, known, know·ing.

to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty: I know the situation fully.

to have established or fixed in the mind or memory: to know a poem by heart; Do you know the way to the park from here?

to be cognizant or aware of: I know it.

be acquainted with (a thing, place, person, etc.), as by sight, experience, or report: to know the mayor.

to understand from experience or attainment (usually followed by how before an infinitive): to know how to make gingerbread.

to be able to distinguish, as one from another: to know right from wrong.

Archaic. to have sexual intercourse with.

verb (used without object), knew, known, know·ing.

to have knowledge or clear and certain perception, as of fact or truth.

to be cognizant or aware, as of some fact, circumstance, or occurrence; have information, as about something.

noun

the fact or state of knowing; knowledge.

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Idioms about know

in the know, possessing inside, secret, or special information.

know the ropes, Informal. to understand or be familiar with the particulars of a subject or business: He knew the ropes better than anyone else in politics.

Origin of know

First recorded before 900; Middle English knowen, knawen, Old English gecnāwan; cognate with Old High German -cnāhan, Old Norse knā “to know how, be able to”; akin to Latin (g)nōvī, Greek gignṓskein. See gnostic, can¹

OTHER WORDS FROM know

knower, noun

Words nearby know

knotting, knotty, knotweed, knotwork, knout, know, knowable, know-all, know all the answers, know a thing or two, know beans

Other definitions for know (2 of 2)

know²

[ noh, nou ]

/ noʊ, naʊ /

noun Scot. and North England.

knoll¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say know?

To know something is to perceive or understand it as fact or truth. When should you use this verb over understand or comprehend? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

How to use know in a sentence

You can only hope it comes off at some point and that someone in the know gives you a heads up.
When Paige Bueckers and Jalen Suggs faced each other, it was ‘just amazing stuff’|Dave Sheinin|April 2, 2021|Washington Post
If there were a Mount Rushmore for comedians and comic actors, Billy Crystal’s head would be prominently displayed for all and sundry in the know to marvel at.
Making Things Crystal Clear: Billy Crystal on All Things Comic|Eugene Robinson|March 29, 2021|Ozy
There are limits to the form — cooking from a home kitchen means these bakers and chefs can only fulfill so many orders, and their customer base is mainly those in the know.
The Long-Term Promise of Restaurant Pivots|Monica Burton|March 19, 2021|Eater
The federal government should not mandate testing or tell schools how to “reform” themselves, because the federal government lacks the knowledge or know-how or experience to reform schools.
What you need to know about standardized testing|Valerie Strauss|February 1, 2021|Washington Post

When I was 19 years old, and first working as a wilderness guide, I learned about a secret room in the back of the local outdoor store, full of deeply discounted gear that was only accessible to those in the know.
Blair Braverman's Favorite Soft Winter Gear|Blair Braverman|January 31, 2021|Outside Online
I don't know why or who's doing it, but it's the legacy…and it's a legacy that is so important to the culture.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They know they will face either a swift backlash or deafening silence.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
What they say is, ‘We don’t approve of violence, but you know what?
Bill Maher: Hundreds of Millions of Muslims Support Attack on ‘Charlie Hebdo’|Lloyd Grove|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
No one seems to know who that is—or why they would want to do such a thing.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Scalise spoke briefly, adding little of substance, saying that the people back home know him best.
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She is quite true, but not wise, and your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
He came to the top of the stairs with a lamp in his hand, and wanted to know what the rumpus was about.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
It seems very strange that I shall actually know Liszt at last, after hearing of him so many years.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Kind of a reception-room in there—guess I know a reception-room from a hole in the wall.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
The policemen looked dull and heavy, as if never again would any one be criminal, and as if they had come to know it.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens

British Dictionary definitions for know

know

/ (nəʊ) /

verb knows, knowing, knew (njuː) or known (nəʊn) (mainly tr)

(also intr; may take a clause as object) to be or feel certain of the truth or accuracy of (a fact, etc)

to be acquainted or familiar withshe's known him five years

to have a familiarity or grasp of, as through study or experiencehe knows French

(also intr; may take a clause as object) to understand, be aware of, or perceive (facts, etc)he knows the answer now

(foll by how) to be sure or aware of (how to be or do something)

to experience, esp deeplyto know poverty

to be intelligent, informed, or sensible enough (to do something)she knew not to go home yet

(may take a clause as object) to be able to distinguish or discriminate

archaic to have sexual intercourse with

I know what I have an idea

know what's what to know how one thing or things in general work

you know informal a parenthetical filler phrase used to make a pause in speaking or add slight emphasis to a statement

you never know things are uncertain

noun

in the know informal aware or informed

Derived forms of know

knowable, adjectiveknower, noun

Word Origin for know

Old English gecnāwan; related to Old Norse knā I can, Latin noscere to come to know

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with know

know

In addition to the idioms beginning with know

know all the answers
know a thing or two
know beans
know better
know by heart
know by sight
know enough to come in out of the rain
know from Adam
know if one is coming or going
know it all
know like a book
know one's own mind
know one's place
know one's stuff
know one's way around
know only too well
know the ropes
know the score
know where one stands
know which side of one's bread is buttered

also see:

before you know it
(know) by heart
come in out of the rain, know enough to
coming or going, know if one's
for all (I know)
god knows
(know) inside out
in the know
it takes one to know one
left hand doesn't know what right hand is doing
not know beans
not know from Adam
not know where to turn
not know which way to jump
thing or two, know
what do you know
what have you (who knows what)
which is which, know
you know

know

Idioms about know

Origin of know

OTHER WORDS FROM know

Words nearby know

Other definitions for know (2 of 2)

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say know?

learn more about know

Words related to know

How to use know in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for know

Derived forms of know

Word Origin for know

Other Idioms and Phrases with know