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

Det Ch Insp Louise Metcalfe, leading the Essex Police investigation, said the author of the anonymous handwritten letter to officers "seemed reticent of coming forward but couldn't bear the nightmare of knowing what they knew".

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Without knowing what might happen, or how long they will have to wait, some companies have sold their refund claims to investors, or considered doing it, just to be able to move on.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

That’s more than knowing that there’s some unrealized losses on a corporate balance sheet.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

“Although we’re grieving there is some comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering and is reunited with her sisters in peace.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

If I was embarrassed, I’m sure she was too, although, knowing her, she would be sitting as cool as a cucumber.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• insightful
• intelligent
• perceptive
• sophisticated