transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to perceive directly : have direct cognition of
(2)
: to have understanding of
importance of knowing oneself
(3)
: to recognize the nature of : discern
b(1)
: to recognize as being the same as something previously known
(2)
: to be acquainted or familiar with
(3)
: to have experience of
2
a
: to be aware of the truth or factuality of : be convinced or certain of
b
: to have a practical understanding of
knows how to write
3
archaic : to have sexual intercourse with

intransitive verb

1
: to have knowledge
2
: to be or become cognizant
sometimes used interjectionally with you especially as a filler in informal speech

know

2 of 2

noun

Phrases
know from
: to have knowledge of
didn't know from sibling rivalry Penny Marshall
in the know
: in possession of exclusive knowledge or information
broadly : well-informed

Examples of know in a Sentence

Verb He knows a lot about the history of the town. Do you know the answer? I don't know her name.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Mass Ave resident Jeff Stroebel knows in this day and age people are always on their phones. Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 9 Aug. 2025 Chicago Sky Operating Chairman Nadia Rawlinson knows there isn’t a singular solution to this problem. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025
Noun
Locals in the know love the store, with its literal thousands (meaning like 8 figure thousands) of records. Rance Collins, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025 Those in the know understand AI is coming for coaches. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for know

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old English cnāwan; akin to Old High German bichnāan to recognize, Latin gnoscere, noscere to come to know, Greek gignōskein

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of know was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Know.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/know. Accessed 17 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
a
: to have understanding of
know yourself
b
: to recognize the nature of
knew them to be honest
2
a
: to recognize the identity of
knew me by my walk
b
: to be acquainted or familiar with
knows the city very well
3
a
: to be aware of the truth of
know that the earth is round
b
: to have a practical understanding of
knows how to write
4
: to have information or knowledge
ask someone who knows
5
: to be or become aware
knew about the problem

know

2 of 2 noun
: the fact of knowing : knowledge

More from Merriam-Webster on know

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