known

American  

[nohn] / noʊn /

verb

1. past participle of know.

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noun

1. a known quantity.

known British  

/ nəʊn /

verb

1. the past participle of know

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adjective

1. specified and identified

   a known criminal

noun

1. a fact or entity known

Etymology

Origin of known

First recorded in 1300–50, for the adjective

Explanation

Something known is something people are aware of or know about. Don’t ask a known thief to walk your dog while you’re out of town, especially if she is known as the “Poodle Poacher.” When you know something, it’s in your memory and awareness. When something is known, you know it! Technically, known is the past participle of know. Cigarettes are known to cause cancer. Martin Luther King is known as a hero to Americans. Cassius Clay is known as Muhammad Ali. If you stay out late and get in trouble, you should’ve known better. Something known is established, and people don't have reason to doubt it.

Example Sentences

For these patients, the biological roots of insulin resistance may differ from the better known obesity-linked pathways.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

Gates was stationed at the Oberoi, a hotel in New Delhi, known for its symmetrical staircase and a “Tree of Life” sculpture in its lobby.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

"Anything we released to the American public will also be known by the Russian secret service, Chinese government, and adversaries," Appel pointed out.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

William Gude, better known online under the handle “Film The Police L.A.,” claimed Perry’s dog had bitten him in the past.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

Or perhaps some of the prisoners from Haarlem had been interrogated and the truth about our group was known.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• accepted
• acknowledged
• admitted
• common
• established
• familiar
• noted
• notorious
• obvious
• recognized
• well-known