Any fact or situation which is known or familiar.
"The local weather patterns are a well-known feature of life in the valley, and everyone plans their harvest around them."
"The known amount of water in the river was measured by the scientists."
Usage: Use "known" only when referring to a specific piece of information or general awareness that people possess, such as in the phrase "make it known." Avoid using it as a standalone noun for abstract concepts like "knowledge," which is the correct term for facts or skills collectively understood.
past participle of know
"The famous painter known by everyone as Van Gogh once lived in an old house near here."
In plain English: To know something means to have information about it or to be aware of its existence.
"People know that he is very honest."
Usage: Use "known" only as the past tense or past participle of the verb know, such as in "I have known him for years." Do not use it to describe something that is familiar or recognized unless it functions grammatically as part of a perfect tense construction.
apprehended with certainty
"a known quantity"
"the limits of the known world"
"a musician known throughout the world"
"a known criminal"
Identified as a specific type; famous, renowned.
"The local bakery is known for its sourdough bread that customers travel miles to taste."
In plain English: Known means something that is already recognized or understood by people.
"Everyone in the office knows that Sarah is the best designer on the team."
Usage: Use known to describe something that is widely recognized or famous within a specific group or generally, such as a known quantity or a known celebrity. Avoid using it simply to mean "identified" when you specifically need the past participle of know for factual recognition.
The word known comes from the Old English past participle cnāwen. It entered modern English as a form of the verb to know, retaining its original meaning of being familiar with or recognized.