know

verb

\ ˈnō

knew\ ˈnü

also ˈnyü \; known\ ˈnōn

\; knowing

Definition of know

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a(1) : to perceive directly : have direct cognition of

(2) : to have understanding of importance of knowing oneself

(3) : to recognize the nature of : discern

b(1) : to recognize as being the same as something previously known

(2) : to be acquainted or familiar with

(3) : to have experience of

2a : to be aware of the truth or factuality of : be convinced or certain of

b : to have a practical understanding of knows how to write

3 archaic : to have sexual intercourse with

intransitive verb

1 : to have knowledge

2 : to be or become cognizant —sometimes used interjectionally with you especially as a filler in informal speech

know from

: to have knowledge of didn't know from sibling rivalry— Penny Marshall

know

noun

Definition of know (Entry 2 of 2)

: knowledge

in the know

: in possession of exclusive knowledge or information broadly : well-informed

Other Words from know Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about know

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Examples of know in a Sentence

Verb

He knows a lot about the history of the town. Do you know the answer? I don't know her name. Do you know what time it is? I don't know the words to that song. They knew a good deal about the problem. She knows the rules of the game. If you want the answer, ask someone who knows. I don't know much about art, but I know what I like. She knows that many people will not believe her.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Experts don’t know why this affects some people and not others and have found that simply continuing with antibiotic treatment can do more harm to a person’s system than good, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. — Kate Sheridan, SELF, "Here’s Exactly What to Do if a Tick Bites You," 14 July 2018 Today, Kardashian West is known for switching up her hair often, wearing butt-length extensions and wigs in lots of different colors and styles. — Lindsey V Thompson, Allure, "Kim Kardashian West Shares a Throwback Picture Minus Her Hair Extensions and Fake Lashes," 13 July 2018 That ruling overturned the 2015 decision by the state labor board, formally known as the Public Employment Relations Board. — David Garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "If state Supreme Court rules against San Diego on pensions, it could could cost city millions," 14 July 2018 The home, known as the house on bluff, also has high tech features. — David Gleisner, Daily Southtown, "Rare glass house carved into hillside hits the market in Olympia Fields," 14 July 2018 Their cell membranes, for example, are made up of two different kinds of fatty molecules, known as lipids. — Prachi Patel, Scientific American, "Engineered Microbe Shakes Up the Tree of Life," 13 July 2018 The Armenian Shadow Puppet Theater, known as Karagyoz, was especially popular in the 18th century. — Allison Keyes, Smithsonian, "Illuminating the Shadowy Art of Armenian Puppet Theater," 13 July 2018 World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, was ejected 11 times during his 17 year NBA career. — Joseph Spears, Indianapolis Star, "Metta World Peace ejected from game after punting the ball into the crowd," 13 July 2018 The 52-year-old site, officially known as Monarch Hill Renewable Energy Park, is inching toward being full. — Anne Geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Mount Trashmore, the landfill that's over 20 stories, will grow bigger and taller," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Brands developed exclusively by people of color—such as legacy brands like Aphogee and Iman Cosmetics—have been around for quite a while to those in the know, but were really hard to find. — Tiffany Dodson, SELF, "11 Black-Owned Beauty Brands You Need on Your Radar," 8 Mar. 2019 For those who aren’t in the know, these aren’t just there for Instagram-worthy moments. — Christina Liao, Vogue, "Inside the World’s Most Expensive Hotel Suite, Designed by Damien Hirst," 1 Mar. 2019 China is drawing on a deep reserve of technical know-how to develop such weapons. — David Hambling, Popular Mechanics, "What You Need to Know About the South China Sea, the World's Next Hot Spot," 27 Feb. 2019 But what does the public know so far about baby Sussex-to-be? — Vogue, "Everything We Know About Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Royal Baby," 17 Jan. 2019 Even people who only watch football on TV know that college games are unbearably long. — Andy Benoit, SI.com, "NFL and College Football Are Not the Same Game," 11 July 2018 The show is told in several timelines, but rarely does the viewer know which is on-screen at any moment. — Travis M. Andrews, chicagotribune.com, "Is talking about 'Westworld' more fun than watching 'Westworld'?," 25 June 2018 The Jacobs had know McCarthy since their youth in South Sacramento. — Anita Chabria, sacbee, "Who killed this Sacramento family three decades ago? Police offer $50,000 for clues," 16 June 2018 When Garcetti invited the Dreamers to speak, one young man told of trouble getting a new know-your-rights app listed in the App Store. — Chanan Tigay, GQ, "Eric Garcetti Is the Anti-Trump, Pro–Star Wars Man We Need," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'know.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.