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.
These ETFs mostly own the companies providing the materials, products and know-how to build, along with the asset owners and operators.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
She asked whether they could use their technology and know-how to engineer something that could similarly save lives in the event of wildfire flames.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
It takes a lot of know-how to puppet and train a robot, he said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
The implication was clear: farming know-how had been imported into the “waterworld” hunter-gatherer communities by women.
From Science Daily • May 30, 2026
I wouldn't have had the know-how to be a butler in those days.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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.
