1
: having or reflecting knowledge, information, or intelligence
2
a
: shrewdly and keenly alert : astute
a knowing observer
b
: indicating possession of exclusive inside knowledge or information
a knowing smile
3
4
: deliberate
knowing interference in the affairs of another
knowingly
adverb
knowingness
noun
know·ing·ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being knowing
the brisk knowingness of a competent journalist—
C. J. Rolo
C. J. RoloExamples of knowing in a Sentence
Adjective
She looked at us in a knowing way.
exchanged a knowing look with her business partner during the sales presentation
Recent Examples on the Web
Arancha Gamo, Glamour, 7 June 2026
Life before her diagnosis had been stressful, uncertain, a season of not quite knowing where she was headed.
—Ayren Jackson-Cannady, SELF, 29 May 2026
Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
In the last few pages of the play, there’s something so powerful in the way Linda asks Willy to come to bed — the knowing and the tiredness and the strength and sadness in it.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for knowing
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Adjective
Those of us with a penchant for fashion have managed—not without effort—to put aside the knowing glances, caresses, and hugs to take in every detail of the look.
—Arancha Gamo, Glamour, 7 June 2026
Life before her diagnosis had been stressful, uncertain, a season of not quite knowing where she was headed.
—Ayren Jackson-Cannady, SELF, 29 May 2026
Noun
Through her radical honesty and spiritual clairvoyance, Cassidy invites readers to tune to the frequency of their own inner knowing to tap into the cosmic goodness already within them.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
In the last few pages of the play, there’s something so powerful in the way Linda asks Willy to come to bed — the knowing and the tiredness and the strength and sadness in it.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for knowing
Cite this Entry
“Knowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knowing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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