know

1 of 2

verb

ˈnō 

knew ˈnü 

 also  ˈnyü

; known ˈnōn  ; knowing

transitive verb

1

a(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

2

a

: 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

knower

ˈnō-ər 

noun

know

2 of 2

noun

: knowledge

Phrases

know from

: to have knowledge of

didn't know from sibling rivalry

—Penny Marshall

in the know

: in possession of exclusive knowledge or information

broadly : well-informed

Synonyms

Verb

• understand

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

An internal investigation by Kenvue Brands LLC, the company that owns Neutrogena, revealed the brand’s Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes tested positive for a bacteria known as pluralibacter gergoviae, per information released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025

The charitable organization funded by the Johnson & Johnson heiress is known for gifts to education, health and civic projects. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025

Noun

Those in the know don’t go to the dentists on the island. —Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025

About one in five Americans say they have been financially affected by the shutdown, while two in five know someone who has, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll. —Nik Popli, Time, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old English cnāwan; akin to Old High German bichnāan to recognize, Latin gnoscere, noscere to come to know, Greek gignōskein

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing know

• as we know it
• better the devil you know than the devil you don't
• doesn't know (any) better
• doesn't know what he's talking about
• don't I know it
• don't want to know
• getting to know
• have/know all the answers
• how should/would I know
• how should/would one know
• how/why should I/we know
• how would I/we know
• I don't know
• I don't know about him/her
• I don't know about that
• I don't know about you/him/her/them
• I don't know what the world is coming to
• if you know what I mean
• if you must know
• I know (it)
• I know what you mean
• I'll have you know
• in the know
• I wouldn't know
• know-all
• know best
• know better
• know better than to
• know different/otherwise
• know/feel in one's bones
• know for a fact
• know full well
• know-how
• know it
• know-it-all
• know no bounds
• know no bounds/boundaries
• know-nothing
• know-nothingism
• know oneself
• know one's limits
• know one's own heart/mind
• know one's stuff
• know one's way around
• know (someone) by name
• know (someone) of old
• know someone when
• know something backward and forward
• know something backwards
• know something inside and out
• know something inside out
• know something like the back of one's hand
• know something or someone for what it/he/she is
• know something when one sees it/one
• know the drill
• know the feeling
• know the meaning of (something)
• know the meaning of the word
• know the score
• know what hit one
• know what it is
• know what it means
• know what it's like
• know what one is talking about
• know what's best
• know which side one's bread is buttered on
• let someone know
• not know beans about
• not know one's own strength
• not know someone from Adam
• not know the first thing about
• not know what the world is coming to
• not know where someone gets off
• not know whether to laugh or cry
• old enough to know better
• someone doesn't know what he/she is missing
• to know someone is to love him/her
• what does one know
• what do you know
• what do you know about that
• what someone doesn't know can't/won't hurt him/her
• wouldn't you know it?
• you can't know
• you don't know
• you know
• you know something?
• you-know-what
• you know what I mean
• you know what they say
• you-know-who
• you'll never know
• you never know

Rhymes for know

• beau
• beaux
• blow
• boe
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

know

1 of 2 verb

ˈnō 

knew ˈn(y)ü  ; known ˈnōn  ; knowing

1

a

: to have understanding of

know yourself

b

: to recognize the nature of

knew them to be honest

2

a

: to recognize the identity of

knew me by my walk

b

: to be acquainted or familiar with

knows the city very well

3

a

: to be aware of the truth of

know that the earth is round

b

: to have a practical understanding of

knows how to write

4

: to have information or knowledge

ask someone who knows

5

: to be or become aware

knew about the problem

knowable

ˈnō-ə-bəl 

adjective

knower

ˈnō(-ə)r 

noun

know

2 of 2 noun

: the fact of knowing : knowledge