v., knew (nū, nyū), known (nōn), know·ing, knows. v.tr.
- To perceive directly; grasp in the mind with clarity or certainty.
- To regard as true beyond doubt: I know she won't fail.
- To have a practical understanding of, as through experience; be skilled in: knows how to cook.
- To have fixed in the mind: knows her Latin verbs.
- To have experience of: "a black stubble that had known no razor" (William Faulkner).
- To perceive as familiar; recognize: I know that face.
- To be acquainted with: He doesn't know his neighbors.
- To be able to distinguish; recognize as distinct: knows right from wrong.
- To discern the character or nature of: knew him for a liar.
- Archaic. To have sexual intercourse with.
- To possess knowledge, understanding, or information.
- To be cognizant or aware.
in the know Informal.
- Possessing special or secret information.
- Used parenthetically in conversation, as to fill pauses or educe the listener's agreement or sympathy: Please try to be, you know, a little quieter. How were we supposed to make camp in a storm like that, you know?
[Middle English knouen, from Old English cnāwan.]
knowable know'a·ble adj.knower know'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
