knowledge

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noun

American English pronunciation: knowledge

/ˈnɑlɪdʒ/

1
[singular/uncountable] all the facts that someone knows about a particular subject
The teacher’s comments are designed to help improve your knowledge and understanding.
knowledge of/about:
Lawyers should possess detailed knowledge of certain aspects of the law.
Candidates for the job must have a working knowledge of at least one European language.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of knowledge
1. a.
  all the facts that are known about different things or about life generally
  the pursuit of knowledge
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of knowledge
2
[uncountable] the fact that someone knows about something, especially something bad
We had no knowledge of the incident.
knowledge of:
Daniels has denied all knowledge of the events.
knowledge that:
The staff had no knowledge that the company was in trouble.
in/with the knowledge that:
I say this in the knowledge that nothing will be done.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of knowledge

phrases

not to my knowledge
spoken
used for answering that you think something is not true, although you are not completely certain
“Have the letters been written yet?” “Not to my knowledge.”
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of knowledge
secure/safe in the knowledge that
not worried because you are sure that nothing bad will happen
They continued their campaign, secure in the knowledge that the police were powerless to stop them.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of knowledge
to (the best of) my knowledge
used for saying that you think something is true, but you are not completely certain
To the best of my knowledge, the President has not asked for a full report on this.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of knowledge

See also

common knowledge

Get It Right!: knowledge

Knowledge is an uncountable noun, so it is never used in the plural:

✗ Students don’t understand how to use these knowledges in real life.

✓ Students don’t understand how to use this knowledge in real life.

✗ We can exchange our experiences and strengthen our knowledges.

✓ We can exchange our experiences and strengthen our knowledge.

Knowledge is sometimes used with a, but only in the pattern a knowledge of something (or a good/deep/thorough etc. knowledge of something):

Effective use of language necessitates a good knowledge of grammar.

The usual preposition that follows knowledge is of. Don’t use the prepositions in or on:

✗ It takes more than just knowledge in a subject to succeed.

✓ It takes more than just knowledge of a subject to succeed.

✗ This is where you can gain a general knowledge base, and specific knowledge on the subject you have chosen to study.

✓ This is where you can gain a general knowledge base, and specific knowledge of the subject you have chosen to study.

The preposition about can also be used with knowledge, but it is much less frequent than of:

Metaphor: knowledge

Getting knowledge about something is like making a map of a place or like traveling there. Teaching someone is like showing them how to reach a place.

This term, we will be exploring the psychology of sport.
In today’s class, I will map out the most important concepts.
We can approach the subject from several directions.
Can you give me a few pointers? What should I read first?
It is an excellent guide to English vocabulary.
The program allows you to navigate the Web more easily.
The first step in learning a language is to learn its sounds.
This aspect of his work is very much uncharted territory.
We’re on surer/more familiar ground here.
New students have to take an orientation course.

When you have some knowledge about something, it is as if you are shining a light on it. Not having knowledge is like being in darkness.

Allow me to shed/throw some light on the matter. ♦ Can you enlighten me as to what your intentions are? ♦ There are a couple of points that I’d like you to clear up. ♦ Her work has greatly illuminated this aspect of the subject. ♦ This spotlights/highlights the problems of bilingual children. ♦ He kept us in the dark about his plans. ♦ The book concerns the shadowy world of espionage. ♦ I only have a dim recollection of what happened next. ♦ I haven’t got the foggiest/faintest idea.

➡ confused, discover, mind, secret, understand

This is the American English definition of knowledge. View British English definition of knowledge.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

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