knowing
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.showing that you know something secret or private, often with a look or a smile.
adj.suggestive of private knowledge or a shared secret; often used to describe facial expressions or gestures.
Simple“She gave me a knowing look when I mentioned I was working late.”
In context“The two colleagues exchanged a knowing glance across the boardroom, silently acknowledging the irony of the CEO's latest proposal.”
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.done on purpose and with full understanding of what will happen.
adj.done with full awareness or deliberation; intentional.
Simple“The company was accused of a knowing violation of the safety rules.”
In context“The court determined that the defendant had acted with knowing disregard for the potential consequences of his financial decisions.”
SynonymsAntonymsaccidentalunwitting - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.the act or state of having information or understanding.
n.the state of possessing knowledge or the act of cognition.
Simple“There is a great difference between knowing a fact and truly understanding it.”
In context“The philosopher explored the distinction between the mere gathering of data and the deeper state of knowing.”
SynonymsAntonyms
“Knowing how, and where, to get a discount can make a real difference.”
“I’d advise watching it without knowing anything else first.”
From know + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.