known
Americanverb
noun
verb
adjective
noun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing known
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.
Asada is known as a dovish member of the board and voted against an interest-rate increase in September.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
And he separately estimated that between 12,000 and 20,000 provisional votes -- known as affidavit ballots -- remain uncounted, according to local NBC affiliate WDAM-7.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
“One of our rookies came up to me and she was like, ‘All I’ve ever known here is winning and you guys having this identity and a way to play,’” Anderson said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
I've known him since he was about 14 years old.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
It most often started, as Betsie had known it would, in the garden.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
