# knowledge

/ˈnɑɫədʒ/ (US) · /nˈɒlɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/knowledge
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. understanding of a subject

noun · CEFR A2

the information and understanding you have about a specific subject or situation.

For teachers: the state of being familiar with or understanding a particular subject, place, or situation. Uncountable in this general sense.

- She has a deep knowledge of local history because she grew up in the village.
- His extensive knowledge of international maritime law made him an invaluable asset during the treaty negotiations.

Usage: usually uncountable; often followed by the preposition 'of' or 'about'.

### 2. all that is known

noun · CEFR B1

all the facts and information that people have discovered over time.

For teachers: the sum total of what is known; the body of facts and principles accumulated by humankind.

- The internet has made it easier for everyone to access human knowledge.
- The library was designed as a monument to human knowledge, housing manuscripts that spanned three millennia of scientific discovery.

### 3. London taxi test

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

the difficult test that London taxi drivers must pass to show they know every street in the city.

For teachers: the rigorous examination of London's geography required for a taxicab licence. Often used with the definite article as 'The Knowledge'.

- He spent three years on his motorbike studying for The Knowledge before he could drive a black cab.
- Aspiring cabbies often spend years traversing the city's labyrinthine streets to master The Knowledge before sitting their final exams.

Usage: usually appears as 'The Knowledge'.

Teaching tip: This is a very specific cultural term; outside of the context of London taxis, it will not be understood.

### 4. sexual intimacy

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal · Technical

a very old-fashioned way to talk about having sex.

For teachers: sexual intercourse or intimacy. Archaic in general use; survives primarily in the legal phrase 'carnal knowledge'.

- The old book used the phrase carnal knowledge to describe the couple's relationship.
- The defendant was charged under a statute that specifically cited carnal knowledge of a minor as a felony offense.

Usage: almost exclusively found in the fixed phrase 'carnal knowledge'.

## Examples

- He shares his knowledge of computers with the rest of the team.
- The mechanic used his extensive knowledge of older engines to fix the classic car in under an hour.
- The professor argued that true knowledge requires not just the accumulation of raw data, but the critical framework necessary to interpret those facts meaningfully.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.