knowing

[ noh-ing ]

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.

knowing

/ ˈnəʊɪŋ /

adjective

1. suggesting secret information or knowledge
2. wise, shrewd, or clever
3. deliberate; intentional

noun

1. there is no knowing
   one cannot tell

Derived Forms

• ˈknowingly, adverb
• ˈknowingness, noun

Other Words From

• knowing·ly adverb
• knowing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of knowing¹

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

Example Sentences

"People like me who are interested in the peopling of the Americas are very interested in knowing if those first Americans came with dogs," Lanoë added.

From Science Daily

That bittersweet feeling of knowing that this isn’t our moment right now but we will be able to rise again.

From Los Angeles Times

“Watching my father and knowing his legacy is also part of it.”

From Los Angeles Times

I wasn't willing to burn down a house without reasons that make sense, without knowing that this serves a certain military purpose, or any type of purpose.

From BBC

"Mr Craig had no inside information and had no way of knowing who would win the election," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• insightful
• intelligent
• perceptive
• sophisticated