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Synonyms

knowledgeable

American  
[nol-i-juh-buhl] / ˈnɒl ɪ dʒə bəl /
Or knowledgable

adjective

  1. possessing or exhibiting knowledge, insight, or understanding; intelligent; well-informed; discerning; perceptive.

knowledgeable British  
/ ˈnɒlɪdʒəbəl /

adjective

  1. possessing or indicating much knowledge

"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

Other Word Forms

  • knowledgeability noun
  • knowledgeableness noun
  • knowledgeably adverb
  • nonknowledgeable adjective
  • quasi-knowledgeable adjective
  • quasi-knowledgeably adverb
  • unknowledgeable adjective

Etymology

Origin of knowledgeable

First recorded in 1600–10; knowledge + -able

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Those budget cuts have Mirmina questioning the U.S.’s chances of winning the new space race and retaining highly knowledgeable personnel.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

People knowledgeable about the conversation said Sheinbaum calmed down an angry Trump, acknowledging the importance of U.S. intelligence in tracking down Oseguera and saying that the Mexican military had quickly restored order.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

"We have a passionate and knowledgeable fan base in London, built over time and still growing, and we're making a positive impact with fans throughout the United Kingdom as well," he said in a statement.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Mark Kent said China was a "priority growth market" for many distilleries, adding that the country had "developed into a knowledgeable and premium-focused market with a strong appreciation of Scotch".

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

A thrilling image took shape in my imagination, of me in Maria’s role, the midwife’s daughter, confident, knowledgeable.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.