knowing
/ˈnəʊɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnəʊɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnō-iŋ/ (ame, mw)
knowing — 形容詞
- knowingpositive
- more knowingcomparative
- most knowingsuperlative
1. describes a look, smile, glance, or expression that shows you understand somethi
會意的；心照不宣的
用表情暗示彼此已理解未說之事
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.
Mei-Lin 在媽媽提起驚喜派對時，向哥哥露出一個會意的微笑。
collocation: knowing smile — showing shared secret understanding
The teacher exchanged a knowing glance with the principal as the student told his unlikely excuse.
在學生說著不太可信的藉口時，老師與校長交換了一個心照不宣的眼神。
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.
Amina 帶著會意的表情點了點頭，她早在房間里其他人之前就聽到了這個消息。
When the topic came up at dinner, Dmitri and his wife shared a knowing wink across the table.
晚餐時話題一轉，Dmitri 與妻子隔著餐桌互相眨了眨眼，一切盡在不言中。
- 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
博學的；見識廣博的
對某領域有深厚了解或豐富資訊
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.
Santiago 是一位見識廣博的現代建築評論家，定期為設計雜誌撰稿。
before-noun use: 'a knowing critic'
The documentary offered a knowing analysis of the political situation in Southeast Asia.
這部紀錄片對東南亞政治局勢提出了精闢的分析。
Fatima's knowing comments on ancient pottery impressed the museum curator enough to offer her a job.
Fatima 對古陶器提出的深刻見解讓博物館館長印象深刻，當場聘用她。
Elena is remarkably knowing about Japanese cinema for someone who has never visited the country.
Elena 從未去過日本，卻對日本電影有相當深入的了解。
- 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
故意的；蓄意的
出於故意而非意外，常用於法律文脈
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.
法院判定該公司蓄意不實陳述其財務紀錄。
collocation: knowing misrepresentation — legal term for intentional false statement
Hassan's knowing disregard for the laboratory safety rules led to a serious accident.
Hassan 蓄意無視實驗室安全規定，導致了一起嚴重事故。
collocation: knowing disregard — deliberate failure to follow rules
The lawyer argued that the defendant's actions were knowing and intentional, not merely careless.
律師辯稱被告的行為是故意且蓄意的，而非僅僅是粗心。
A knowing violation of the building code can result in fines of up to fifty thousand dollars.
蓄意違反建築法規可能面臨高達五萬美元的罰款。
- 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 — 名詞
1. the condition of being aware of something or possessing knowledge about it — mos
知曉；認知
對某事有所了解或意識的狀態
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.
無從知曉那棟老房子下個月開始翻修後會挖出什麼東西。
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.
就我所知，渡邊家在那個社區已經住了超過四十年。
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.
根本無從得知市場會如何因應新的貿易政策。
A deep knowing of the local dialect helped Amara negotiate successfully with the village elders.
Amara 對當地語言的深刻掌握，幫助她成功與村中長老談判。
- 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'.