# knows

/ˈnoʊz/ (US) · /nˈəʊz/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. third-person singular

verb · CEFR A1

the form of 'know' used with he, she, it, or a single name.

For teachers: The third-person singular present indicative form of 'know'.

- She knows exactly how to fix the computer when it crashes.
- The professor knows the subject so thoroughly that she can answer any question without referring to her notes.

### 2. dialect use

verb · CEFR C1 · Dialect · Informal

a way of saying 'know' for any person (I, you, we, they) in some local areas.

For teachers: A nonstandard present tense form used for all persons, singular and plural, in specific regional dialects.

- I knows what you mean, but I can't help you right now.
- In some traditional rural dialects, a speaker might say 'I knows' or 'they knows' instead of using the standard forms.

Usage: This form is common in certain British and American regional dialects but is considered grammatically incorrect in standard or academic writing.

## Examples

- She knows the answer to every question.
- He knows the city so well that he never needs to use a map to find his way around.
- While the scientist knows the theoretical framework of the experiment, she still waits for the empirical data to confirm her initial hypothesis.

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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.