know-all
B2Informal, slightly pejorative
Definition
Meaning
A person who acts as if they know everything and often corrects others or gives unsolicited advice.
A derogatory term for someone who is arrogantly overconfident in their knowledge, often irritating others by constantly displaying or asserting their (sometimes superficial) understanding.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a countable noun ('a know-all', 'those know-alls'). Almost always implies annoyance or criticism. Less common than the synonymous term 'know-it-all' in American English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The form 'know-all' is standard in British English. The synonymous 'know-it-all' is the dominant, more common form in American English, though 'know-all' is understood.
Connotations
Identically negative in both variants, implying arrogance and irritating behaviour.
Frequency
Medium frequency in UK English; lower frequency in US English, where 'know-it-all' is strongly preferred.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
He is such a know-all.Don't be a know-all.She played the know-all.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing (related concept)”
- “To have all the answers (similar attitude)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The new consultant is a bit of a know-all, constantly interrupting in meetings."
Academic
Rarely used formally; more likely in informal student/staff discussions about a pompous peer.
Everyday
"My brother-in-law is a real know-all about cars—it's impossible to have a conversation with him."
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This form is not a verb.
- N/A
American English
- This form is not a verb.
- N/A
adverb
British English
- This form is not an adverb.
- N/A
American English
- This form is not an adverb.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He has a know-all manner about him.
- I can't stand her know-all attitude.
American English
- He has a know-it-all manner about him.
- I can't stand her know-it-all attitude.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My classmate is a know-all.
- He is a know-all and talks too much.
- Nobody likes him because he's such a know-all.
- She acted like a know-all during the history lesson.
- The team dismissed his suggestions, seeing him as just an arrogant know-all.
- It's frustrating to work with a know-all who won't listen to other perspectives.
- His know-all demeanour, though founded on genuine expertise, alienated his colleagues and stifled collaboration.
- Beneath the surface of the confident know-all lay a profound insecurity about being wrong.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: Someone who claims to KNOW ALL the answers. Visualise a person with a huge, swollen head (full of 'know-all') talking down to others.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A POSSESSION (that they claim to have all of). ARROGANCE IS PHYSICAL SIZE/EXPANSION (a 'big head').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as "знать-всё". The correct equivalent in meaning is "всезнайка" (vseznayka).
- Avoid confusing with "умник" (umnik), which can be more neutral ('clever one'), whereas 'know-all' is always negative.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective (*He is very know-all). It is a noun. Correct: 'He is a know-all.' or 'He has a know-all attitude.'
- Spelling as 'knowall' or 'know all' (without hyphen). The standard spelling is hyphenated: know-all.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest synonym for 'know-all' in American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is never a compliment. It is a critical, informal term for someone who is annoyingly arrogant about their knowledge.
An 'expert' is genuinely skilled and knowledgeable, and the term is neutral or positive. A 'know-all' implies the person *acts* like they know everything, often in a boastful or irritating way, regardless of their actual expertise.
It is not appropriate for formal writing (academic, official reports) due to its informal and pejorative nature. Use more neutral terms like 'overconfident individual' or 'arrogant person'.
Use it as a countable noun, almost always with an article (a, the) or determiner (that, such a). Example: 'He's a know-all.' 'I can't stand that know-all from marketing.'