Inflected forms: knew ( n, ny), known ( nn), know·ing, knows
TRANSITIVE VERB:
1. To perceive directly; grasp in the mind with clarity or certainty. 2. To regard as true beyond doubt: I know she won't fail.3. To have a practical understanding of, as through experience; be skilled in: knows how to cook.4. To have fixed in the mind: knows her Latin verbs.5. To have experience of: “a black stubble that had known no razor” (William Faulkner). 6a. To perceive as familiar; recognize: I know that face.b. To be acquainted with: He doesn't know his neighbors.7. To be able to distinguish; recognize as distinct: knows right from wrong.8. To discern the character or nature of: knew him for a liar.9.Archaic To have sexual intercourse with.
INTRANSITIVE VERB:
1. To possess knowledge, understanding, or information. 2. To be cognizant or aware.
IDIOMS:
in the knowInformal Possessing special or secret information. you knowInformal Used parenthetically in conversation, as to fill pauses or educe the listener's agreement or sympathy: Please try to be, you know, a little quieter. How were we supposed to make camp in a storm like that, you know?
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English knouen, from Old English cnwan. See gn- in Appendix I.
n
, ny
wan. See gn
a·ble —ADJECTIVE
