definition of 

know

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verb [never progressive]  /nəʊ/ 

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present tense
I/you/we/they	know
he/she/it	knows
present participle	knowing
past tense	knew
past participle	known

phrases

• as we know it

  used when you are talking about something that people are familiar with, especially something that is likely to change

  This could mean the end of life as we know it.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: known, overt, transparent, open, in the public domain... more

• as you know

  mainly spoken
  used when you are saying something that someone already knows

  As you know, we’ve already accepted an offer from another company.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: of course, naturally, evidently, obviously, it goes without saying (that)... more

• for all I know

  used for emphasizing that you do not know something

  He could be a murderer for all I know.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: don’t ask me, your guess is as good as mine, (that’s a) good question, I couldn’t tell you, you may/might well ask... more

• get to know

  to start to be familiar with someone or something

  It took a while to get to know the city properly.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: settle into, adjust, grow into, slot in, acclimatize... more

• God/Goodness/Heaven knows

  mainly spoken
  1. 1

     used for emphasis

     God knows, it would be a disaster if that happened.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: more
  2. 2

     used for saying that you do not know something

     ‘Where on earth can they have got to?’ ‘Goodness knows.’

     What effect it will have, heaven only knows.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: don’t ask me, your guess is as good as mine, (that’s a) good question, I couldn’t tell you, you may/might well ask... more

• how should/do I know?

  spoken
  used for saying in an annoyed way that you do not know something

  How should I know what she thinks about it?

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: don’t ask me, your guess is as good as mine, (that’s a) good question, I couldn’t tell you, you may/might well ask... more

• I don’t know

  1. 1

     used for saying that you are not certain about something

     I don’t know whether:

     I don’t know whether economic issues were discussed specifically.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: don’t ask me, your guess is as good as mine, (that’s a) good question, I couldn’t tell you, you may/might well ask... more
  2. 2

     used for saying that you do not completely agree

     ‘It’ll be boring.’ ‘Oh I don’t know. It might be fun.’

     I don’t know that:

     I don’t know that we need to discuss this.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: more
  3. 3

     used when you are giving your opinion and want to find out what someone else thinks

     I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: perhaps, frankly, personally, as/so far as I’m concerned, to my way of thinking... more
  4. 4

     used for criticizing someone

     I don’t know what/how/why etc:

     I don’t know what they were thinking of.

     I don’t know how he could be so cruel.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: more

• if you must know

  spoken
  used for answering someone in an annoyed way

  He’s not my boyfriend any more, if you must know.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: hell, blast, for heaven’s sake/sakes, for pity’s sake, for crying out loud... more

• I know

  1. 1

     used for agreeing with what someone says

     ‘He’s a complete idiot.’ ‘Yeah, I know.’

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: OK, of course, no, yes, right... more
  2. 2

     used for showing that you know there is a problem, but you do not think it is important

     I know the plan is pretty rough, but you get the idea.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: whatever, anyhow, anyway, no...to speak of, no matter how/where/what etc... more
  3. 3

     used for showing that you understand someone and feel sympathy for them

     I know how hard this is for you.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: of course, OK, all right, fair enough, if you like... more
  4. 4

     used when you have a sudden idea

     I know, let’s go to the cinema instead.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: well, oh, okey-dokey, for the sake of argument, for openers... more

• know something backwards/inside out

  to be very familiar with something

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: realize, have heard of, be reliably informed/assured, recognize, possess... more

• know best

  used for saying whose opinion is most important

  When it comes to toys, your child knows best.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: think, believe in, say, consider, hold... more

• know better

  1. 1

     used for saying that someone should not make a mistake, because they are sensible or experienced

     She should know better than to try to fool him.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: practical, sensible, rational, logical, realistic... more
  2. 2

     to know that what someone else says or thinks is wrong

     Everyone thought it was an innocent mistake, but I knew better.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: realize, have heard of, be reliably informed/assured, recognize, possess... more

• know your own mind

  to be certain about what you like and what you want

  Michael is a man who knows his own mind and I was expecting him to be critical.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: believe in, swear to, depend on, feel/know something in your bones, bet the farm... more

• know what’s what

  spoken
  to be very clever or experienced

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: realize, have heard of, be reliably informed/assured, recognize, possess... more

• let someone know

  to tell someone something

  Let me know when he arrives.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: tell, deliver, report, point out, brief... more

• not know whether you are coming or going

  spoken
  to feel very confused, for example because you are very busy

  I’m so tired, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: run around, rush around, juggle, pack in, immerse yourself in something... more

• not want to know

  informal
  to refuse to listen to someone or get involved in something

  We asked several of them to help, but they didn’t want to know.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: shut your ears to something, turn a deaf ear (to), close your ears (to), close your ears to something... more

• what do you know

  spoken
  used for showing that you are surprised

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: funnily enough, you don’t say, heavens above, Well, I never (did), is that a fact?... more

• you don’t know

  spoken
  used for emphasizing what you are going to say next

  You don’t know how happy this makes me!

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: namely, incidentally, furthermore, anyhow, anyway... more

• you know

  spoken
  1. 1

     used for emphasis

     Things are different now, you know.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: more
  2. 2

     informal used while you think about what to say next

     My whole leg was, you know, soaked in blood.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: OK, well, like, oh, and... more
  3. 3

     used when you are giving extra information about something

     Have you seen that bowl, you know, the blue one?

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: namely, incidentally, furthermore, anyhow, anyway... more
  4. 4

     used before you start to talk about a particular person or thing

     You know the woman next door? Well, she’s expecting a baby.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: well, oh, okey-dokey, for the sake of argument, for openers... more

phrasal verbs

know from

[transitive]

Close

present tense
I/you/we/they	know from
he/she/it	knows from
present participle	knowing from
past tense	knew from
past participle	known from

know someone/something from someone/something to recognize the difference between two people or things

Most people wouldn’t know it from real champagne.

Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: understand, work out, comprehend, deduce, make sense of something... more

See also  Adam, arse

 

know of

[transitive]

Close

present tense
I/you/we/they	know of
he/she/it	knows of
present participle	knowing of
past tense	knew of
past participle	known of

1. 1

   know of someone/something to know that someone or something exists and who, what, or where they are

   I only know of one case in which this has happened.

   Do you know of anyone who’s looking for a new car?

   Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: realize, have heard of, be reliably informed/assured, recognize, possess... more

   1. a.

      to know about someone or something, but not know any details

      Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: realize, have heard of, be reliably informed/assured, recognize, possess... more
2. 2

   not that I know of spoken used for answering that you think something is not true, although you are not completely certain

   ‘Has he asked for a meeting with the President?’ ‘Not that I know of.’

   Synonyms or related words for this meaning of know: don’t ask me, your guess is as good as mine, (that’s a) good question, I couldn’t tell you, you may/might well ask... more