knowing
English edit
Etymology edit
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
knowing (comparative more knowing, superlative most knowing)
- Possessing knowledge or understanding; knowledgeable, intelligent. [from 14th c.]
- 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, 6th edition, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] J[ames] Bettenham, for Jonah Bowyer, […], published 1727, →OCLC:
- The knowing and intelligent part of the world.
- Deliberate, wilful. [from 16th c.]
- Shrewd or showing clever awareness; discerning. [from 17th c.]
- a knowing rascal
- Demonstrating knowledge of what is in fashion; stylish, chic. [from 18th c.]
- 1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 173:
- ‘I was a raw boy from College, and fancied it very knowing to marry a girl that all the young fellows of my acquaintance reckoned so confounded handsome.’
- The ability to know something without being taught.
- Suggestive of private knowledge or understanding. [from 19th c.]
- 2017 July 30, Ali Barthwell, “Ice and fire finally meet in a front-loaded episode of Game Of Thrones (newbies)”, in The Onion AV Club[1]:
- Jon and Tyrion greet each other with the words that have been used against them as weapons, sharing a knowing smile.
Synonyms edit
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
intelligent
shrewd
suggestive of private knowledge
deliberate
Preposition edit
knowing
- Given my knowledge about someone or something.
- Knowing you, you would try not to be late for school.
Verb edit
knowing
- present participle and gerund of know
Derived terms edit
Noun edit
knowing (plural knowings)
- The act or condition of having knowledge.
- 2009, Gilbert Ryle, The Concept of Mind (60th Anniversary Edition, 1949, page 194)
- Sensations then, are not perceivings, observings or findings; they are not detectings, scannings or inspectings; they are not apprehendings, cognisings, intuitings or knowings.
- 2009, Gilbert Ryle, The Concept of Mind (60th Anniversary Edition, 1949, page 194)