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; know; 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

• knowingly adverb
• knowingness noun

Etymology

Origin of knowing

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

Example Sentences

Her inventory was running low recently, forcing her to put in a big order before the court’s decision without knowing what it would be.

From The Wall Street Journal

As you think about whether the $395 fee is worth it, consider the mental benefit of knowing you have a comfortable space in which to prepare for a flight.

From MarketWatch

So I think knowing him and having experience with him and seeing him perform at such a level on such big occasions...

From BBC

“It’s a lot more fun knowing that you didn’t have to pay for it,” he said.

From MarketWatch

It essentially boils down to an allegation that someone who was doing a job on behalf of the British public did something seriously wrong, knowing it to be wrong.

From BBC

Related Words

• insightful
• intelligent
• perceptive
• sophisticated