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English
Etymology
From know + -ing.
Pronunciation
Adjective
knowing (comparative more knowing, superlative most knowing)
- Possessing knowledge or understanding; knowledgeable, intelligent.
1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, 6th edition, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: J Bettenham, for Jonah Bowyer, , published 1727, →OCLC:The knowing and intelligent part of the world.
- Deliberate, wilful.
- Shrewd or showing clever awareness; discerning.
a knowing rascal
- Demonstrating knowledge of what is in fashion; stylish, chic.
1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 173:‘I was a raw boy from College, and fancied it very knowing to marry a girl that all the young fellows of my acquaintance reckoned so confounded handsome.’
- The ability to know something without being taught.
- Suggestive of private knowledge or understanding.
2017 July 30, Ali Barthwell, “Ice and fire finally meet in a front-loaded episode of Game Of Thrones (newbies)”, in The Onion AV Club:Jon and Tyrion greet each other with the words that have been used against them as weapons, sharing a knowing smile.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
suggestive of private knowledge
Preposition
knowing
- Given my knowledge about someone or something.
- Knowing you, you would try not to be late for school.
Verb
knowing
- present participle and gerund of know
Derived terms
Noun
knowing (plural knowings)
- The act or condition of having knowledge.
- 2009, Gilbert Ryle, The Concept of Mind (60th Anniversary Edition, 1949, page 194)
- Sensations then, are not perceivings, observings or findings; they are not detectings, scannings or inspectings; they are not apprehendings, cognisings, intuitings or knowings.