/ nəʊ; NAmE noʊ/ verb , noun
■ verb
( knew / njuː; NAmE nuː/ known / nəʊn; NAmE noʊn/) (not used in the progressive tenses)
HAVE INFORMATION
1.
know (of / about sth) to have information in your mind as a result of experience or because you have learned or been told it :
[ vn ]
Do you know his address?
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
All I know is that she used to work in a bank (= I have no other information about her) .
[ v ( that )]
I know (that) people's handwriting changes as they get older.
[ vn that ]
It is widely known that CFCs can damage the ozone layer.
[ v wh- ]
I knew where he was hiding.
I didn't know what he was talking about.
[ v ]
'You've got a flat tyre.' 'I know.'
'What's the answer?' 'I don't know.'
'There's no one in.' ' How do you know? '
You know about Amanda's baby, don't you?
I don't know about you, but I'm ready for something to eat.
I know of at least two people who did the same thing.
'Is anyone else coming?' ' Not that I know of. '
'Isn't that his car?' ' I wouldn't know. / How should I know? ' (= I don't know and I am not the person you should ask) .
( informal )
'What are you two whispering about?' ' You don't want to know ' (= because you would be shocked or wouldn't approve) .
[ v to inf ]
Does he know to come here (= that he should come here) first?
[ vn to inf ]
We know her to be honest.
Two women are known to have died.
—see also need-to-know
REALIZE
2.
to realize, understand or be aware of sth :
[ v ( that )]
As soon as I walked in the room I knew (that) something was wrong.
She knew she was dying.
[ v wh- ]
I knew perfectly well what she meant.
I know exactly how you feel.
[ vn ]
This case is hopeless and he knows it (= although he will not admit it) .
[ v ]
'Martin was lying all the time.' ' I should have known .'
FEEL CERTAIN
3.
to feel certain about sth :
[ v ( that )]
He knew (that) he could trust her.
I know it's here somewhere!
I don't know that I can finish it by next week.
[ vn ]
'You were right—someone's been spreading rumours about you.' 'I knew it!'
[ v ]
'She's the worst player in the team.' 'Oh, I don't know (= I am not sure that I agree) —she played well yesterday.'
—see also don't-know
BE FAMILIAR
4.
[ vn ] to be familiar with a person, place, thing, etc. :
I've known David for 20 years.
Do you two know each other (= have you met before) ?
She's very nice when you get to know her.
Knowing Ben , we could be waiting a long time (= it is typical of him to be late) .
This man is known to the police (= as a criminal) .
I know Paris well.
Do you know the play (= have you seen or read it before) ?
The new rules could mean the end of football as we know it (= in the form that we are familiar with) .
REPUTATION
5.
know sb/sth as sth | know sb/sth for sth [ usually passive ] to think that sb/sth is a particular type of person or thing or has particular characteristics :
[ vn ]
It's known as the most dangerous part of the city.
She is best known for her work on the human brain.
[ vn to inf ]
He's known to be an outstanding physicist.
GIVE NAME
6.
[ vn ] know sb/sth as sth [ usually passive ] to give sb/sth a particular name or title :
The drug is commonly known as Ecstasy.
Peter Wilson, also known as 'the Tiger'.
RECOGNIZE
7.
[ vn ] to be able to recognize sb/sth :
I couldn't see who was speaking, but I knew the voice.
She knows a bargain when she sees one.
DISTINGUISH
8.
[ vn ] know sb/sth from sb/sth to be able to distinguish one person or thing from another
SYN differentiate :
I hope we have taught our children to know right from wrong.
SKILL / LANGUAGE
9.
to have learned a skill or language and be able to use it :
[ vn ]
Do you know any Japanese?
[ v wh- ]
Do you know how to use spreadsheets?
EXPERIENCE
10.
(only used in the perfect tenses) to have seen, heard or experienced sth :
[ vn inf , vn to inf ]
I've never known it (to) snow in July before.
[ vn to inf ]
He has been known to spend all morning in the bathroom.
11.
[ vn ] to have personal experience of sth :
He has known both poverty and wealth.
She may be successful now, but she has known what it is like to be poor.
•
IDIOMS
- before you know where you are
- be not to know
- for all you, I, they, etc. know
- God / goodness / Heaven knows
- I don't know how, why, etc. ...
- I know
- know sth as well as I do
- know sb/sth backwards
- know best
- know better (than that / than to do sth)
- know sb by sight
- know different / otherwise
- know full well
- know sb/sth inside out | know sb/sth like the back of your hand
- know your own mind
- know your stuff
- know your way around
- know what you're talking about
- know which side your bread is buttered
- let it be known / make it known that ...
- let sb know
- make yourself known to sb
- not know any better
- not know your arse from your elbow
- not know beans about sth
- not know the first thing about sb/sth
- not know sb from Adam
- not know what hit you
- not know where to look
- not know whether you're coming or going
- not know you are born
- there's no knowing
- what does ... know?
- what do you know?
- you know
- you know something / what?
- you know who / what
- you never know
—more at answer noun , cost noun , day , devil , far adverb , lord noun , old , pat adverb , rope noun , thing , truth
■ noun
•
IDIOMS
- in the know
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English cnāwan (earlier gecnāwan ) recognize, identify , of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Latin (g)noscere , Greek gignōskein , also by can (I) and ken .