know

1 of 3

verb

ˈnō How to pronounce know (audio)
knew ˈnü How to pronounce know (audio)
also ˈnyü
 ; known ˈnōn How to pronounce know (audio) ; knowing
Synonyms of knownext

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 How to pronounce know (audio)
noun
see also:
know from

know

2 of 3

noun (1)

: knowledge
see also:
in the know

knower

3 of 3

noun (2)

know·​er ˈnōə(r) How to pronounce knower (audio)
plural -s
: one that knows

Synonyms of know

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
But the venue has been known to go dark before on the long July 4th weekend. — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026 Anyone who has ever left something in the back seat of a rideshare knows how stressful that moment can be. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
There are local folks in the know, however, who come to stock their own freezers, as well. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026 In exchange for anonymity, the in-the-know people and decision makers told me the truth about each year’s top prospects. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for know

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Middle English, from knowen to know + -er

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun (1)

1592, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of know was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing know

Rhymes for know

See All Rhymes for know

Browse Nearby Words

knout
know
knowability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Know.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/know. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

know

1 of 2 verb
ˈnō How to pronounce know (audio)
knew ˈn(y)ü How to pronounce know (audio) ; known ˈnōn How to pronounce know (audio) ; 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 How to pronounce know (audio)
adjective
knower
ˈnō(-ə)r How to pronounce know (audio)
noun

know

2 of 2 noun
: the fact of knowing : knowledge

More from Merriam-Webster on know

Nglish: Translation of know for Spanish Speakers

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