know
Verb
To have information in your mind; to be aware of something through observation, inquiry, or information.
Example Sentences
I know the answer to that question.
Do you know where the nearest supermarket is?
It’s vital for employees to know their responsibilities within the organization.
They want to know if we can arrive earlier than planned.
He doesn’t know the full story yet, so please be patient with him.
She wants to know what options are available before making any major decisions.
Once you know exactly what your goals are, it becomes much easier to map out a clear strategy and avoid unnecessary detours along the way.
Even though they didn’t know how the meeting would end, they prepared thoroughly by researching every detail and anticipating all possible questions that might arise.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To perceive or understand information, facts, or abilities with certainty.“Know” is a verb that signifies the act of understanding, recognizing, or being certain of something. You might say “I know the answer,” indicating strong confidence in or comprehension of that response. When you use “know,” you’re generally indicating that you’ve acquired information or skill—this could be through study, direct experience, or reliable communication. For instance, if you say “I know how to swim,” it means you possess that learned ability. If you say “I know what happened at the meeting,” it reflects an awareness of the events. Grammatically, “know” often pairs with pronouns or nouns to show who holds the knowledge: “I know him,” “They know the procedure,” or “We know the risks.” You can also attach clauses introduced by “that” to specify the nature of what’s known: “I know that this project will succeed,” clarifying the subject of your certainty. Beyond simple statements, you might pose questions like “Do you know if the library is open?” or “Do you know why the lights went out?” In such cases, “know” requests confirmation or explanation of a piece of information. In more formal contexts, “know” can convey expertise or familiarity: “She knows the law thoroughly,” or “He knows the history of the region.” It can also indicate relationships—“I know her from university”—or awareness of intangible concepts: “I know peace in my heart.” The flexibility of “know” allows you to express varying degrees of certainty, including total understanding, partial awareness, or familiarity with a topic. You’ll also find other phrases incorporating “know,” such as “know by heart,” which implies memorization or deep familiarity, and “know better,” suggesting one should have greater wisdom or prudence given prior knowledge. For negative statements, “I don’t know” quickly expresses a lack of knowledge or uncertainty. Adding adverbs like “fully,” “barely,” or “well” can refine the level of your understanding: “I fully know the guidelines,” “I barely know the new manager,” etc. In speech and writing, using “know” effectively can clarify your command of information, underscore a sense of expertise, or indicate familiarity with people, places, and concepts. The term is so common and straightforward that you rarely need to overcomplicate it. Still, employing synonyms or different verb tenses (knew, known, knowing) can offer variety. By carefully selecting the context and tone, you highlight the nature and depth of knowledge—be it professional mastery, personal acquaintance, or basic awareness. Overall, “know” remains a foundational verb in English, bridging the realms of learning, memory, personal interaction, and factual understanding.
Alternatives
Depending on your purpose, you can swap in synonyms or related terms to convey nuances of “know.” For instance, “understand” emphasizes comprehension of meaning and context, while “realize” typically captures a moment of awareness or discovery (e.g., “I realized I forgot my keys”). “Recognize” focuses on identification and familiarity—“I recognize her from the conference.” If you want to underscore expertise, “master,” “be familiar with,” or “possess knowledge of” might fit better. When discussing opinions or beliefs, “believe,” “think,” or “suppose” can step in, although these imply a lesser degree of certainty compared to “know.” For example, “I believe it might rain” suggests a possibility, whereas “I know it will rain” is a confident statement of fact. When you want to stress partial knowledge, phrases such as “have an idea,” “be aware of,” or “have a clue” can capture the sense of incomplete understanding. These alternatives help avoid overusing “know” and can add layers of precision to your writing or speech. However, always match the synonym to the exact type of knowledge or awareness you want to express. That way, you retain clarity and nuance in each context, whether you’re referencing a sudden realization, a skillful mastery, or a more tentative belief. Using a variety of expressions can also make your communication more engaging, letting listeners or readers grasp precisely how certain you are—and how you arrived at that knowledge.
Writing
When writing with the word “know,” clarity of meaning is essential. First, decide if you’re discussing factual knowledge, personal familiarity, or a skill-based understanding. For example, when drafting an essay or article, specifying “I know from personal experience” distinguishes firsthand insight from secondhand information. If you’re aiming for an authoritative tone, using “I know with certainty” or “based on evidence, we know” can reinforce credibility. In more reflective pieces, “I’ve come to know” can convey a journey of discovery or growth. To avoid repetitiveness, consider alternating forms such as “knew,” “known,” or “knowing.” For instance, “He knew from her expression” adds a past-tense layer, while “They were known to keep late hours” points to something widely accepted or recognized over time. You might also rephrase with partial synonyms: “understand,” “recognize,” or “be aware of,” whenever you need more precision. When elaborating on knowledge in formal or research-driven texts, you can pair “know” with references or data: “We know from multiple studies that regular exercise improves mood.” This grounds your statement in evidence, giving weight to your claim. In fiction, “know” can reflect a character’s perceptions, biases, or revelations—“She knew in her heart he would never return.” In these creative contexts, “know” often drives the emotional or plot-related stakes. Use modifiers to calibrate levels of knowledge. Words like “fully,” “deeply,” “barely,” or “personally” tell the reader how much the subject is certain: “I barely know her” suggests near unfamiliarity, while “He fully knows the consequences” underscores thorough understanding. These subtle additions make your writing more layered and exact. Ultimately, “know” is a direct way to convey comprehension or certainty. Skillful usage—choosing the right tense, context, and modifiers—helps maintain interest and precision as you communicate ideas, arguments, or narratives.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “know” is a go-to verb for conveying what you understand, who you’re acquainted with, or what you realize about a situation. You might say, “I know that place—it’s great!” upon hearing a restaurant’s name, or “You know her, right?” to confirm if a friend shares your acquaintance with someone. This easy usage is part of what makes “know” so common in casual exchanges. People also often say, “I know, right?” to agree emphatically or show that they share the same opinion. If you want to check someone else’s knowledge, you can ask, “Do you know when the movie starts?” or “Did you know that this weekend’s event is cancelled?” These structures quickly confirm who has which piece of information. You might also hear phrases like “I should’ve known” or “Now I know,” expressing regret or newfound insight. “I should’ve known better than to skip breakfast” implies learning from a minor mistake. “Now I know how to fix it” indicates you’ve just picked up a helpful piece of knowledge. When texting or chatting with friends, you can keep the tone light and straightforward: “I know exactly what you mean,” or “I didn’t know you were allergic to peanuts!” Overall, “know” in casual contexts helps confirm details, discover new facts, or express camaraderie. Because it’s short and direct, “know” lets you quickly share or confirm information without cluttering your conversation. Whether you’re clarifying you understand something, discovering new details about a friend’s life, or affirming a mutual view, “know” remains an easy, universally recognizable way to keep the exchange flowing.
Etymology
The verb “know” in English can be traced back to the Old English word “cnāwan,” which signified recognition or perception. It belonged to a broader family of Germanic languages—similar roots appear in Old High German (“knājan”) and Old Norse (“knā”). This idea of “knowing” tied closely to mental acuity and awareness in early Germanic societies, reflecting a fundamental human necessity to distinguish one’s surroundings, allies, and threats. As the English language evolved through the Middle English period, spelling and pronunciation shifted toward “know,” while its past tense and participle forms “knew” and “known” took shape. Through centuries of usage, “know” has retained its core meaning—holding or recognizing information—though it expanded to cover personal familiarity (“I know my neighbors”) and conceptual understanding (“I know how photosynthesis works”). With the spread of English as a global language, “know” entered various dialects and cultures, often integrating into everyday speech for matters of knowledge, discovery, and expertise. Philosophers, scientists, and educators have long dissected the nature of “knowing,” forming entire fields around epistemology—yet the essential verb remains the same, anchoring our discussions of comprehension and awareness. No matter how advanced or colloquial the conversation, “know” continues to stand at the heart of how we describe our understanding of the world.