: knowledge of how to do something smoothly and efficiently : expertise

Examples of know-how in a Sentence

you'll gain some practical know-how in this auto mechanics class
Recent Examples on the Web
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Mayor Brandon Johnson lacks the political skill, connections, know-how and muscle to keep the Chicago Bears in the city. Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 Doing Well By Doing Good Besides being the right thing to do, empowering consumers with personalized financial know-how may be good business, especially for fledgling fintechs. Lindsey Downing, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 The firm’s know-how caught the attention of the Property Brothers, leading to eight project collaborations with the television personalities. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025 Meet this year’s honorees—the designers and creatives who give us the inspiration and the know-how to travel over the rainbow and embrace color in all its gradations. Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for know-how

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of know-how was in 1838

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Cite this Entry

“Know-how.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/know-how. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

know-how

noun
ˈnō-ˌhau̇
: knowledge of how to get things done : expertise

More from Merriam-Webster on know-how

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