Word
knowing
Phoneticsknow·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnoʊɪŋ/
UK/nˈəʊɪŋ/
Definitions
01showing secret knowledge
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.
“She gave me a knowing look when I mentioned I was working late.”
“The two colleagues exchanged a knowing glance across the boardroom, silently acknowledging the irony of the CEO's latest proposal.”
Synonyms
02deliberate
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. done on purpose and with full understanding of what will happen.
adj. done with full awareness or deliberation; intentional.
“The company was accused of a knowing violation of the safety rules.”
“The court determined that the defendant had acted with knowing disregard for the potential consequences of his financial decisions.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03the state of having knowledge
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Academic · Formal
n. the act or state of having information or understanding.
n. the state of possessing knowledge or the act of cognition.
“There is a great difference between knowing a fact and truly understanding it.”
“The philosopher explored the distinction between the mere gathering of data and the deeper state of knowing.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Knowing how, and where, to get a discount can make a real difference.” “I’d advise watching it without knowing anything else first.” “I would love to have the peace of mind knowing that I would get care even if it meant paying a percentage of my estate on death or increased taxes.” Etymology
From know + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
The word in film
Knowing · 2009 · Sci-Fi
- Directed by:
- Alex Proyas
- Starring:
- Nicolas Cage, Liam Hemsworth, Rose Byrne
Nicolas Cage stars in this Alex Proyas sci-fi thriller as a professor who discovers a mysterious list of numbers from the past. The story follows his struggle to understand the meaning of these dates, which seem to predict every major world disaster with perfect accuracy.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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