knowing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to neutral; the adjectival sense is more common in literary or descriptive contexts.
Quick answer
What does “knowing” mean?
Having or showing knowledge, awareness, or understanding.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Having or showing knowledge, awareness, or understanding; done in full awareness, often implying a shared secret or private information.
Can describe a look, smile, or action that suggests one possesses information others do not, often with an element of cunning, complicity, or superiority. As a noun (gerund), it refers to the state or fact of knowing something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The word is used similarly in both varieties.
Connotations
Slight tendency for the adjectival sense to be perceived as slightly more literary or old-fashioned in American English.
Frequency
Comparatively low frequency in both, but stable. More common as the present participle/gerund ('knowing that...') than as a standalone adjective.
Grammar
How to Use “knowing” in a Sentence
knowing + that-clause (Knowing that he was safe, she relaxed.)knowing + wh-clause (She left without knowing why.)knowing + of/about + NP (He was accused of knowing about the fraud.)Adjective: a + knowing + noun (a knowing smile)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “knowing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Knowing the risks, they proceeded anyway.
- She left the room, not knowing when she would return.
American English
- Knowing how busy you are, I'll be brief.
- He made the decision without knowing all the facts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'a knowing violation of policy'.
Academic
Used in philosophical contexts re: epistemology (the theory of knowing).
Everyday
Most common in describing facial expressions or gestures ('She gave me a knowing look').
Technical
Not typical.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “knowing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “knowing”
- Using 'knowing' as a direct synonym for 'intelligent' (Incorrect: *He's a very knowing scientist. Correct: He's a very knowledgeable scientist).
- Overusing the adjective in informal speech where 'a look that said she knew' might be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As the present participle of the very common verb 'know', it is frequent. As a standalone adjective describing a look or smile, it is less common but well-established.
Yes, but carefully. 'A knowing person' suggests someone who is shrewd, worldly, and aware of secrets, not just generally knowledgeable. It can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation.
'Knowledgeable' means possessing a lot of knowledge about a subject. 'Knowing' (adj.) refers to a specific, often secretive, awareness shown through manner or expression. A professor is knowledgeable. A conspirator gives a knowing glance.
Not directly. The related abstract noun is 'knowingness' (e.g., 'the knowingness in her tone'), but it is quite rare and formal.
Having or showing knowledge, awareness, or understanding.
Knowing is usually formal to neutral; the adjectival sense is more common in literary or descriptive contexts. in register.
Knowing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈnəʊɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈnoʊɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There's no knowing... (It's impossible to predict.)”
- “in the know (having special knowledge)”
- “knowing full well (being completely aware)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a detective who 'KNOWS' something, giving a 'KNOWING' wink to their partner. The word itself contains 'KNOW'.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING ('I see what you mean'), KNOWING IS POSSESSING ('He has the knowledge').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'knowing' used as an adjective?