Know
/noʊ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo have information or understanding of something; to be familiar with something.
/noʊ/
To be aware of something through information, experience, or acquaintance.
I know the answer to the question.
💡 Simply: Knowing something is like having it in your brain. You know your name, you know how to ride a bike, you know what your favorite food is. You've stored the information!
👶 For kids: To know is like having something in your head that you learned or found out.
More Examples
Do you know how to play the piano?
She knows a lot about history.
He knows the way to the store.
How It's Used
"I know her from school."
"Scientists know the earth is round."
To have met or been introduced to someone; to have a personal relationship with someone.
/noʊ/
To be acquainted or familiar with a person.
I know him from the neighborhood.
💡 Simply: Knowing someone means you've met them, talked to them, maybe hung out. It's like knowing your best friend!
👶 For kids: To know someone means you've met them and you know their name.
More Examples
She knows all of her neighbors.
Do you know her parents?
I've known him for years.
How It's Used
"I know her because we work together."
To be certain or sure of something; to not have any doubts about something.
/noʊ/
To have a clear and certain perception or understanding of something.
I know that I did the right thing.
💡 Simply: Knowing something like this means you're super-sure of it. Like, you KNOW 2+2=4. No questions, no doubts!
👶 For kids: To know something for sure means you really, really believe it. Like you know the sun is hot.
More Examples
She knows that she will succeed.
He knows the truth.
We know it's going to rain.
How It's Used
"Socrates claimed, 'I know that I know nothing'."
Idioms & expressions
know the ropes
To be familiar with the details of a job, business, or activity.
"After working here for a year, she finally knows the ropes."
know something inside out
To know something thoroughly and completely.
"He knows the city inside out, having lived there all his life."
know your onions
To be well-informed or expert in a particular area or subject.
"The mechanic certainly knows his onions when it comes to car repairs."
you know
A filler phrase used to give the speaker time to think or to indicate common knowledge or understanding.
"So, you know, I went to the store and, you know, I saw this thing..."
From Old English cnāwan, from Proto-Germanic *knēaną, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ǵnó- (to know).
The word 'know' has existed in English since Old English times, and its meaning has remained relatively consistent, evolving from simply 'to perceive' to 'to have understanding'.
Memory tip
Think of knowing like having a 'key' (know-ledge) to understanding something.