know-how
Americannoun
noun
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ingenuity, aptitude, or skill; knack
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commercial and saleable knowledge of how to do a particular thing; experience
Etymology
Origin of know-how
1830–40, noun use of verb phrase know how
Explanation
Know-how is the knowledge and skill needed to complete a task. Mechanics have a lot of know-how when it comes to cars. This folksy word pretty much defines itself: when you have know-how, you know how to do something. People pick up know-how in many ways. In school, you can gain know-how, especially in classes that are very practical. The best way to get know-how is through experience. For example, teachers may learn about teaching in school, but they won't have a lot of know-how till they've spent a few years in front of a class of students.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many of them don’t know how to handle overnight wealth or how to navigate tax, asset protection, estate-planning, and philanthropic considerations, which is why good advice is especially important.
From Barron's • Jun. 13, 2026
“They didn’t know how the public would react to someone who looked so different from people who were typically on TV in 1967.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026
"They were really into what I was doing. I don't know how it clicked, but it did click with them."
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
One can imagine reading this book to the toughest audience of all—children—rigorous listeners who know how to play.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
“Happy birthday, Lexie. I know it’s not for another month, but Maverick couldn’t wait, and I know how much you’ve been wanting a dog.”
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
