WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
know•ing /ˈnoʊɪŋ/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- showing shrewd knowledge of secret or private information:gave me a knowing glance.
- conscious;
intentional;
deliberate:a knowing lie.
know•ing
(nō′ing),USA pronunciation adj.
know′ing•ly, adv.
know′ing•ness, n.
- affecting, implying, or deliberately revealing shrewd knowledge of secret or private information:a knowing glance.
- that knows;
having knowledge or information;
intelligent. - shrewd, sharp, or astute.
- conscious;
intentional;
deliberate.
- Middle English knawynge (earlier knowende, knawande). See know1, -ing2 1325–75
know′ing•ness, n.
- 1. meaningful, significant, eloquent, perceptive.
'knowingly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):