you know
idiom
informal
1
—used when one is trying to help someone remember something
They live on the other side of town. You know—near the golf course.
He was in our history class—you know—the tall blond guy in the front row.
2
—used for emphasis
You know, we really have to go.
It's cold outside, you know.
You know, you really should write a novel.
3
—used when one is not sure of what to say or how to say it
Would you like to, you know, go out sometime?
We're planning to go shopping and, you know, just hang out.
Examples of you know in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But as all of you know, things happened, and the show is no longer presenting here.
—
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
As many of you know, the Justice Court handles evictions, and currently, people being evicted are left without access to essential resources provided by local nonprofits and state agencies.
—Christina Avery, The Arizona Republic, 10 July 2024
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Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
As many of you know, the Justice Court handles evictions, and currently, people being evicted are left without access to essential resources provided by local nonprofits and state agencies.
—Christina Avery, The Arizona Republic, 10 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“You know.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/you%20know. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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