definitions
  • synonyms

knowing

[ noh-ing ]
/ ˈnoʊ ɪŋ /
||

adjective

affecting, implying, or deliberately revealing shrewd knowledge of secret or private information: a knowing glance.
that knows; having knowledge or information; intelligent.
shrewd, sharp, or astute.
conscious; intentional; deliberate.

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Nearby words

know-nothings, knowable, knowe, knowed, knowhow, knowing, knowingly, knowledge, knowledge economy, knowledge engineering, knowledge is power

Origin of knowing

1325–75; Middle English knawynge (earlier knowende, knawande). See know1, -ing2
SYNONYMS FOR knowing
1 meaningful, significant, eloquent, perceptive.
Related formsknow·ing·ly, adverbknow·ing·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for knowingness

British Dictionary definitions for knowingness

knowing

/ (ˈnəʊɪŋ) /

adjective

suggesting secret information or knowledge
wise, shrewd, or clever
deliberate; intentional

noun

there is no knowing one cannot tell
Derived Formsknowingly, adverbknowingness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for knowingness

knowing

adj.

"with knowledge of truth," late 14c., from present participle of know (v.). Related: Knowingly.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper