know
noh
Know (verb) means to have information about something, or to be certain that something is true. Example: “I know the answer to that question.”
verb
1
To have information about something, or to be certain that something is true.
"I know the answer to that question."
"Do you know what time the train leaves?"
"Nobody knows exactly why the lights went out last night."
2
To be familiar or acquainted with a person, place, or subject.
"I've known her since we were at school together."
"Do you know this part of town well?"
"I know the owner of that bakery quite well."
How to use know
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo have information, certainty, or familiarity about something or someone.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
know for a fact
get to know
know someone well
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- knows
- Past tense
- knew, knowed, known
- Archaic forms
- knowest, knewest, knoweth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ the answer to that question.
Etymology
From Old English cnāwan, "to perceive or recognize," from a very old root shared with Latin (g)noscere and Greek gignṓskein — both meaning "to know."
Synonyms
View more →
understand
be aware of
be certain of
recognize
realize
be familiar with
comprehend
bed
acknowledge
bang
go to bed with
sleep with
Related words
Rhymes for know
See all rhymes for know →Frequently asked questions
What does “know” mean?
The word “know” means to have information about something, or to be certain that something is true. In plain terms, to have information, certainty, or familiarity about something or someone.
How do you pronounce “know”?
“Know” is pronounced noh (/noʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “know” in a sentence?
Here is “know” used in a sentence: “I know the answer to that question.”
What is another word for “know”?
Words with a similar meaning to “know” include go to bed with and sleep with.
What part of speech is “know”?
“Know” is a verb.
Where does the word “know” come from?
The word “know” comes from Latin. From Old English cnāwan, "to perceive or recognize," from a very old root shared with Latin (g)noscere and Greek gignṓskein — both meaning "to know.".
Is “know” a common word?
“Know” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “know” have?
“Know” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to have information about something, or to be certain that something is true.
What is the difference between 'know' and 'understand'?
To 'know' something is to have the information or be aware of a fact — 'I know her name.' To 'understand' is to grasp its meaning or how it works — 'I understand why she left.' You can know a fact without understanding it; understanding adds insight, not just awareness.
What is the difference between 'know' and 'believe'?
'Know' implies certainty backed by fact or experience — you are sure it is true. 'Believe' means accepting something as true without that certainty — it may or may not be. 'I know it's raining,' because you can see it, differs from 'I believe it'll rain,' which you expect but can't be sure of.
Why does English use one verb 'know' for both facts and people?
Many languages split this — Spanish has 'saber' for facts and 'conocer' for being acquainted. English uses 'know' for both: 'I know the answer' and 'I know your sister.' Context makes the sense clear — knowing information versus being familiar with a person or place.
What is an example of the verb 'know'?
In 'I know the capital of France,' 'know' means having that information. In 'I know she's right,' it expresses certainty that something is true. Other examples include 'do you know the way?' and 'they've known each other for years,' meaning long acquaintance.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing know in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
He was looking at other planets, he told Schmidt that day back in 2017, "because, of course, we know that there have been no other civilizations on Earth."
From
CNN · Jul 25, 2026
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