a clear and certain mental apprehension
"After staring at the broken gear for minutes, I had a knowing that the entire transmission was seized before even touching it."
The act or condition of having knowledge.
"His knowing glance confirmed that he had already seen the report before anyone else did."
In plain English: Knowing is the state of having information or understanding about something.
"She relied on her knowing that he would not lie to her."
Usage: Use "knowing" only when describing a specific type of intelligence that implies awareness of something hidden or a wry sense of irony. In most cases, you should use the standard nouns "knowledge" or "awareness" instead to avoid confusion with the adjective form.
present participle of know
"After hours of studying for the exam, I walked into the test knowing every answer would come easily to me."
In plain English: To know something means to have information about it or to be aware of a fact.
"The detective was knowing all about the suspect's past before the trial began."
Usage: Use "knowing" to describe someone who demonstrates awareness or understanding of something specific, often implying they are acting with deliberate insight. Do not confuse it with "noticing," as knowing suggests a deeper familiarity rather than just seeing something happen.
characterized by conscious design or purpose
"intentional damage"
"a knowing act of fraud"
"a deliberate attempt to provoke a response"
alert and fully informed
"a knowing collector of rare books"
"surprisingly knowledgeable about what was going on"
highly educated; having extensive information or understanding
"knowing instructors"
"a knowledgeable critic"
"a knowledgeable audience"
Possessing knowledge or understanding; intelligent.
"The knowing smile on her face told me she had already figured out the solution before anyone else did."
In plain English: Knowing is having clear information about something so you are sure it is true.
"The knowing smile on his face suggested he already had all the answers."
Usage: Use knowing to describe someone who appears shrewd, worldly-wise, or slightly cynical about human nature rather than simply being well-informed. This adjective often carries a tone of subtle amusement or detachment when observing others.
The word is formed by combining the verb know with the suffix -ing. This construction creates a noun that refers to the state or quality of having knowledge.