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Definition of know

know

/noʊ/
know

Adverb:knowingly
•
Adjective:knowable
•
Past Simple:knew
•
Past Participle:known
•
Present Participle:knowing
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know Lexical Profile

know Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information.

Example

"Do you know what time the library closes on Saturdays?"


2

To be familiar or acquainted with a person, place, or thing.

Example

"I have known my best friend since we were in elementary school."


3

To have developed a practical skill, proficiency, or mastery in a subject or language.

Example

"She knows three foreign languages and several programming frameworks."


4

To be able to distinguish or discern one thing from another.

Example

"Every experienced hiker should know edible berries from poisonous ones."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for know
Antonyms
View all antonyms for know

• noun

1

The state of possessing inside information or awareness (used almost exclusively in the phrase 'in the know').

Example

"People in the know expect the company to announce a major merger next week."

Word Nuance & Usage

Easily confused with its homophone 'no' (a negative determiner or response). As a stative verb, 'know' is rarely used in the progressive aspect ('*I am knowing the answer' is non-standard in most contexts).

• Rhymes for know

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'cnāwan' (to perceive or recognize), tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root '*gno-' (to know), which is also the source of Greek 'gignōskein' and Latin 'gnōscere'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Know. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 4, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/know
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