DictionaryAI

know

SayNOH/noʊ//nəʊ/

Formsknows, knowing, knew, known

12 meanings of know

Practice

  1. 1
    be awareverbtransitive
    To have information about something in your mind, to be aware that it is true, or to be informed of or about it.

    I know the shop closes at six.

    He knew the road was flooded and drove anyway.

    UsageRarely in the progressive: I know (not incorrect: I'm knowing). Often followed by a clause, with that left out: I know she's here.

    Similarrealize, understand

    Note

    Awareness is not the same as understanding, and this sense draws the line between them: I knew he was upset, but I didn't understand why. An older idiom builds on it: the first thing I knew means before I had noticed, as when a twisting path suddenly bends.

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

    • The older expression ‘the first thing I knew’ is attested in a narrative about a twisting path suddenly bending, supporting the stated interpretation. en.wiktionary.org
  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To be acquainted or familiar with someone or something, or to have met or encountered them.

    I know Lisbon well because I lived there for a year.

    Do you know the little bakery on Fifth Street? Their bread is amazing.

    UsageFor becoming familiar with someone, say get to know: we got to know each other at work.

    Note

    The question do you know Pilar? is how English checks whether an introduction is needed, and the natural answer reports a meeting: sure, we've met. Knowing a person often implies at least that much, as in I know your mother, but I've never met your father. With since or from, the perfect stretches the acquaintance across years: known from the time he wore kilts.

    Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

    • Knowing someone need not imply having met them in person; acquaintance can develop through remote communication. autoenglish.org
    • The kilts example is attested wording illustrating acquaintance extending from an earlier time. gutenberg.org
  3. 3
    call by nameverbtransitive
    To use a particular name, title, or description for someone or something; usually in the passive, be known as.

    Locals know the old stone mill as the Castle.

    The stretch of bars and casinos downtown is known as the Strip.

    UsageMost often be known as + a name: known as the Strip. Set phrases: also known as, better known as.

    Similarcall

  4. 4
    noted forverbtransitive
    To widely recognize someone or something because of a particular quality, activity, or achievement; usually in the passive, be known for.

    Most travelers know the region for its wine, but its cheese is just as good.

    The bakery on Main Street is known for its cinnamon rolls.

    UsageMost often be known for a reason: best known for its rolls. Known as gives a name; known to says who is aware.

  5. 5
    verbtransitive
    To have learned something, or have command of it, through study or experience, such as a language, a skill, or a song or piece of music.

    I know the rules of chess but not the tricks.

    Does anyone here know first aid?

    UsageKnow how to + verb: I know how to swim (not incorrect: I know to swim). With a subject or language: she knows French.

    Note

    Here knowing is a matter of ability rather than certainty: to know how to swim is to be able to swim. This sits beside knowing that something is true, and English uses the one verb for both.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of know apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–11

The Proto-Indo-European root *ǵneh₃- ("to know") passed through Proto-Germanic into Old English as cnāwan ("to know, perceive, recognize"), which became Middle English knowen. Relatives across the language family include Latin gnoscō and cognoscō, Ancient Greek gnôsis ("knowledge"), Russian znatʹ and Persian šenâxtan, among many others.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 9 facts

Meaning 12

This sense is a shortening of the phrase "you know".

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact