Showing results for "knowing"

• present participle of know.

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; 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

• knowingness
  noun
• knowingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of knowing

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English knawynge (earlier knowende, knawande ); equivalent to know ¹ + -ing ²

Explanation

Something that's knowing is sneakily wise or perceptive. A knowing smile conveys a lot of information — it implies that you know a secret or are in on some background information. Picture Mona Lisa. A knowing glance tells its recipient that you've got them figured out or that you're aware of something they haven't shared with many people. You can use this adjective to simply mean "having knowledge" or "intentional" too, as when someone makes a knowing purchase of stolen goods. The noun version of knowing is also simple, meaning "the state of having knowledge or being aware."

Example Sentences

“Not knowing what he’s going to do in the future, but certainly this is a special event, a one-of-a-kind weekend. It won’t be happening like this again.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

"I'm grateful to be part of this halftime show, and even more grateful knowing it's already helping expand access to education for children around the world," added the "Stay" and "Love Yourself" hitmaker.

From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026

If you have spent a lifetime trying to live by a set of values, there is real peace of mind in knowing your retirement savings are not quietly working against them.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 6, 2026

It says much about Americans that many consider knowing basic grammar to be “intellectual.”

From Salon • Jul. 6, 2026

I’m sure he’ll have a snide comment about me not knowing the days of the week, but I know he’ll be pleased to see me, even if he won’t come out and say it.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• insightful
• intelligent
• perceptive
• sophisticated