Langimage
English

knowing

|know/ing|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈnoʊɪŋ/

🇬🇧

/ˈnəʊɪŋ/

(know)

awareness or familiarity

Base FormPlural3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleNounAdjective
knowknownsknowsknewknownknowingknownknowing
Etymology
Etymology Information

'knowing' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'cnāwan', where 'cnāwan' meant 'to know'.

Historical Evolution

'cnāwan' transformed into the Middle English word 'knouen', and eventually became the modern English word 'know'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to perceive or understand', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

present participle of 'know'.

Knowing the answer, she raised her hand.

Adjective 1

showing or suggesting that one has knowledge or awareness that is secret or known to only a few people.

She gave him a knowing smile.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39