knowing
/ˈnəʊɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnəʊɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnō-iŋ/ (ame, mw)
knowing — adjective
- knowingpositive
- more knowingcomparative
- most knowingsuperlative
1. describes a look, smile, glance, or expression that shows you understand somethi
describes a look, smile, glance, or expression that shows you understand something that has not been said directly — used when two or more people share a secret or private understanding.
Mei-Lin gave her brother a knowing smile when their mother mentioned the surprise party.
collocation: knowing smile — showing shared secret understanding
The teacher exchanged a knowing glance with the principal as the student told his unlikely excuse.
collocation: knowing glance — eye contact between people who share an understanding
Amina nodded with a knowing look, having already heard the news before anyone else in the room.
When the topic came up at dinner, Dmitri and his wife shared a knowing wink across the table.
- significant
shares the idea of carrying hidden meaning, but 'significant look' is less intimate and less specific than 'knowing look'
- meaningful
overlaps in use with 'meaningful glance', but 'knowing' specifically implies private or shared inside knowledge, while 'meaningful' can simply suggest importance
- conspiratorial
stronger, suggesting a shared secret or plot; more dramatic and less commonly used in everyday speech
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used before a noun describing a facial expression or gesture: look, smile, glance, wink, nod, grin. It describes communication without words.
常見錯誤
2. having or showing a deep understanding of a particular subject, based on wide re
having or showing a deep understanding of a particular subject, based on wide reading, study, or experience.
Santiago is a knowing critic of modern architecture who writes regularly for design magazines.
before-noun use: 'a knowing critic'
The documentary offered a knowing analysis of the political situation in Southeast Asia.
Fatima's knowing comments on ancient pottery impressed the museum curator enough to offer her a job.
Elena is remarkably knowing about Japanese cinema for someone who has never visited the country.
- knowledgeable
far more common in everyday English; 'knowing' as a synonym is formal and literary
- well-informed
emphasises having up-to-date information on current topics
- expert
stronger, suggesting professional or advanced-level understanding
- ignorant
lacking knowledge or awareness about a subject
- uninformed
not having the necessary information
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (KNOWING LOOK): sense 1 describes a facial expression showing shared understanding, while sense 2 describes a person's broad or deep knowledge of a topic. Sense 2 is much rarer in everyday speech; 'knowledgeable' is the more common alternative.
常見錯誤
3. done on purpose and with full awareness of what you are doing — used especially
done on purpose and with full awareness of what you are doing — used especially in legal or formal contexts to describe wrongful or harmful acts.
The court found that the company made a knowing misrepresentation of its financial records.
collocation: knowing misrepresentation — legal term for intentional false statement
Hassan's knowing disregard for the laboratory safety rules led to a serious accident.
collocation: knowing disregard — deliberate failure to follow rules
The lawyer argued that the defendant's actions were knowing and intentional, not merely careless.
A knowing violation of the building code can result in fines of up to fifty thousand dollars.
- deliberate
the most common everyday word for 'done on purpose'; 'knowing' is narrower and more formal
- intentional
very close in meaning; 'intentional' is more widely used outside legal language
- willful
emphasises stubborn or defiant intention to do wrong; common in legal phrases like 'willful misconduct'
- conscious
emphasises being aware of the action and its consequences
- accidental
happening by chance, not planned
- unintentional
not done on purpose
用法筆記
Frequently paired with legal terms: 'knowing misrepresentation', 'knowing violation', 'knowing disregard'. In court language it often appears alongside 'intentional' or 'willful'.
常見錯誤
knowing — noun
1. the condition of being aware of something or possessing knowledge about it — mos
the condition of being aware of something or possessing knowledge about it — most often encountered in the fixed expressions 'there is no knowing' (it is impossible to know) and 'to the best of one's knowing' (as far as one knows).
There is no knowing what the old house might reveal once the renovation begins next month.
fixed phrase: 'there is no knowing' — it is impossible to predict or find out
To the best of my knowing, the Watanabe family has lived in that neighbourhood for over forty years.
fixed phrase: 'to the best of my knowing' — as far as I know (formal)
There is simply no knowing how the market will react to the new trade policy.
A deep knowing of the local dialect helped Amara negotiate successfully with the village elders.
- knowledge
the standard noun for information one possesses; far more common than 'knowing'
- awareness
emphasises being conscious of a fact or situation
- understanding
emphasises comprehension and grasp of a subject
- ignorance
lack of knowledge or awareness
用法筆記
This noun is rare in modern English. Learners should prefer 'knowledge' (everyday), 'awareness' (consciousness of a fact), or 'understanding' (comprehension) in most contexts. The noun 'knowing' survives mainly in set phrases such as 'there is no knowing…' and 'to the best of my knowing'.