you know

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word you know. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word you know, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say you know in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word you know you have here. The definition of the word you know will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofyou know, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

First attested as a filled pause in the early 18th century, as a euphemism in the mid-19th century.

Pronunciation

Interjection

you know

  1. (informal) Expression signifying a pause or hesitation.
    • 2002 December 15, “Interview with David Beckham”, in Breakfast with Frost, spoken by David Beckham, via BBC:
      I don’t usually get nervous in games and, you know, taking free kicks and penalties but that’s the first time I’ve been that nervous in, in a game, where I have to, I’m in a situation where I’m, you know []
    • 2013, Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Before Midnight (motion picture), spoken by Jesse (Ethan Hawke):
      Once, I remember, I was watching the twins on a trampoline, you know, and they looked so beautiful, and I was happy because they were happy, you know.
  2. (informal) Expression used to imply meaning, rather than say it, such as when a person is embarrassed.
    A: I heard you want to... do something with me.
    B: Do what?
    A: You know... umm...
    B: Sex?
    A: Yeah.
  3. (informal) Used as a rhetorical question to confirm agreement, knowing or understanding at the end of a statement.
    But I guess that's life, you know?
    I just wasn't into it, you know?
    • 1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, , →OCLC, part I, page 198:
      This was already a fresh departure for me. I was not used to get things that way, you know.
    • 2024 January 29 [2024 January 26], Tim Lee, Ray Chung, quoting Brendan Kavanagh, “London YouTuber hid in van, received death threats after piano face-off”, in Luisetta Mudie, transl., Radio Free Asia, archived from the original on 29 January 2024:
      "I heard Winnie the Pooh was like garlic to a vampire to the Chinese commies," he said. "Popular arts and music, poetry, dancing and singing is a threat to those in power, and I'm really trying to bring back that rock-and-roll rebellious spirit into music, you know."
  4. (informal) Used to introduce information.
    You know, he's actually pretty nice.
  5. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see you,‎ know.

Alternative forms

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

References

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024), “know (v.)”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

Further reading