knowing

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adjective know·ing \ ˈnō-iŋ \

Definition of knowing

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 :cognitive

4 :deliberate

knowing interference in the affairs of another

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knowingly

adverb

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knowingness

noun

See knowing defined for English-language learners

See knowing defined for kids

First Known Use of knowing

14th century

knowing Synonyms

Synonyms

hip, wise

Antonyms

unknowing

Related Words

alerted, aware, clued (in), forewarned, informed, prepared, ready, warned; observant, observing, sharp, sharp-eyed; alert, attentive, open-eyed, vigilant, watchful; plugged-in, with-it

Near Antonyms

oblivious, unaware, unconscious, uninformed, unwitting; heedless, unmindful; unprepared, unready, unwary

knowing

noun

Definition of knowing

:acquaintance, cognizance

Examples of knowing in a Sentence

She looked at us in a knowing way.
exchanged a knowing look with her business partner during the sales presentation

Recent Examples of knowing from the Web

Brozovic is a player that interests Bilic, with the manager knowing of him from his days as Croatia boss.

— SI.com, "West Ham's Angelo Ogbonna Refuses to Leave as Part of Swap Deal for Inter Ace," 30 Aug. 2017
The often toothpick-accessorized pout, which was slightly downturned at the corners, lent his face a knowing, if melancholy, quality.

— elizabeth varnell, Vogue, "How Sam Shepard, the Actor and Pulitzer-Winning Playwright, Inspired the Term “Cowboy Mouth”," 31 July 2017
His dark night of the soul takes him to the Pleasant Beach House, a bar and brothel, where his visit with Amanda Drinkall's marvelous Belle is both comic and oddly lovely on its way to a messy sort of knowing.

— tony adler, Chicago Reader, "The Goodman gives us Eugene O’Neill, without tears," 5 July 2017
The knowing references, however, grow flat and repetitive, leaving behind a movie that, as snapped together, plays like less than the sum of its parts.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'Lego Batman Movie' doesn't quite hold together," 29 June 2017
Emanuel agreed to a consent decree in January knowing Trump had been elected.

— bill ruthhart, chicagotribune.com, "Preckwinkle, Garcia push Emanuel on federal court oversight of police reform," 19 June 2017
Zitter’s book shows how knowing when to do nothing is as vital to being a good doctor as knowing when to do everything.

— judith newman, New York Times, "I’m Dying Up Here: Books on How to Grieve and How to Die," 16 June 2017
Some of the things that contractors were paid to do were very dangerous and often times these Americans suffered severe injuries, mental health issues and death without the public knowing.

— ed hiner, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Unsung heroes, not ‘mercenaries’," 8 June 2017
Marie D. Brown is a child of the Civil Rights Era and her knowledge and wisdom instilled in me a knowing of the excellence that too often, remains silenced in our media.

— lesley-ann brown, NBC News, "From W.E.B. Du Bois to Octavia Butler: Your Spring Reading List," 17 May 2017

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

First Known Use of knowing

14th century

KNOWING Defined for English Language Learners

knowing

adjective

Definition of knowing for English Language Learners

: showing that you have special knowledge

KNOWING Defined for Kids

knowing

adjective know·ing \ ˈnō-iŋ \

Definition of knowing for Students

1 :having or showing special knowledge, information, or intelligence

2 :shrewdly and keenly alert The baby looked around with knowing eyes.

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knowingly

adverb

Law Dictionary

knowing

adjective know·ing

legal Definition of knowing

1 :having or reflecting knowledge

a knowing and intelligent waiver of counsel

— see also intelligent

2 :deliberate 2

knowing possession

knowing endangerment

— compare mens rea

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knowingly

adverb

Learn More about knowing

See words that rhyme with knowing Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for knowing Spanish Central: Translation of knowing Nglish: Translation of knowing for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of knowing for Arabic speakers

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First Known Use of knowing

knowing Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Near Antonyms

knowing

Definition of knowing

Examples of knowing in a Sentence

Recent Examples of knowing from the Web

First Known Use of knowing

KNOWING Defined for English Language Learners

knowing

Definition of knowing for English Language Learners

KNOWING Defined for Kids

knowing

Definition of knowing for Students

knowingly

Law Dictionary

knowing

legal Definition of knowing

knowingly

Learn More about knowing

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