What does "knowingly" mean?

1. (deliberately) doing something on purpose while knowing exactly what you are doing. 2. (showing you share a secret) looking at someone or smiling in a way that shows you both know a secret.

How do you use "knowingly"?

Often used in legal contexts to prove intent. Commonly modifies verbs of looking, such as 'smile', 'glance', or 'nod'.

knowingly

adv.

US //ˈnoʊɪŋɫi// UK //nˈəʊɪŋli// know·ing·ly

1 deliberately (adv.)
C1 Advanced Formal

doing something on purpose while knowing exactly what you are doing.

with full awareness or intention; often used in legal or formal contexts to describe an action taken with knowledge of its consequences.

Example

He knowingly gave the police the wrong address to help his friend escape.

Example

The company was accused of knowingly discharging toxic waste into the river despite being aware of the environmental regulations.

Usage

Often used in legal contexts to prove intent.
- deliberately
- intentionally
- wilfully
2 showing you share a secret (adv.)
C1 Advanced Literary

looking at someone or smiling in a way that shows you both know a secret.

in a manner that suggests the possession of private or secret knowledge.

Example

When I mentioned the surprise party, Sarah looked at me knowingly.

Example

The two colleagues glanced at each other knowingly when the manager claimed the project was ahead of schedule.

Usage

Commonly modifies verbs of looking, such as 'smile', 'glance', or 'nod'.
- suggestively
- meaningfully
- blankly

Origin

From Middle English knawyngly, knowyngly. By surface analysis, knowing + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026