know
gb/nˈoʊ/ us/nˈoʊ/
A1
English
~ 100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
state
1
Be aware of a fact
To have information in your mind.
Usage pattern:
to know [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'know' with 'learn'; 'know' is for having information already, 'learn' is for getting it.
Synonyms
understand (Implies grasping the meaning, not just being aware of the fact.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means to deliberately not pay attention to information.)
Collocations
know the answer
|know the facts
|know the truth
|know the rules
|know the details
Themes
communication
|knowledge
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|education
Examples
- I know the capital of France is Paris.
- She knows that he is lying.
- Do you know the rules of the game?
- We know the meeting starts at nine.
- They know the answer to the question.
Learner examples
- I know your name.
- He knows my phone number.
- Do you know this song?
- We know the way to the park.
- They know my teacher.
Verb
A1
state
2
Be familiar with someone/something
To have met or seen someone or something before.
Usage pattern:
to know [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'meet' instead of 'know' when they mean familiarity over time.
Synonyms
recognize (Focuses on identifying from memory, not general familiarity.)
Antonyms
meet (Refers to encountering someone for the first time.)
Collocations
know each other
|know a person well
|know the city
|know the area
Themes
relationships
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I know her from school.
- Do you know this restaurant?
- They know each other very well.
- We know the city like the back of our hand.
- He knows that shop; he goes there often.
Learner examples
- I know my neighbor.
- She knows my brother.
- Do you know this place?
- We know our teacher.
- They know that shop.
Verb
A2
state
3
Understand deeply
To understand something well because you have learned about it or done it before.
Usage pattern:
to know [how/why/what]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget to use 'how', 'why', or 'what' after 'know' when talking about understanding processes or reasons.
Synonyms
comprehend (More formal; emphasizes complete mental grasp.)
Antonyms
misunderstand (Fail to correctly understand something.)
Collocations
know how to do something
|know what to expect
|know why it happens
Themes
education
|skills
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I know how to swim.
- She knows why the machine stopped working.
- They know what it takes to win.
- He knows how computers work.
Learner examples
- I know how to read.
- She knows how to make a cake.
- They know what this means.
- We know why he is late.
Verb
B1
state
4
Recognize by sight/sound
To see or hear something and remember it from before.
Usage pattern:
to know [someone/something] by [sight/sound/name]
Synonyms
identify (More formal; emphasizes accurate recognition.)
Antonyms
mistake for (To wrongly think something is someone else.)
Collocations
know by sight
|know by name
Themes
perception
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I don't know him by name, but I recognize his face.
- She knew the song as soon as it started playing.
- Do you know this smell?
Learner examples
- I know her face.
- He knows this song.
- We know this voice.
Verb
A2
state
5
Be certain about a fact
To be sure that something is true.
Usage pattern:
to know (that) [clause]
Synonyms
be sure (Slightly less formal; more conversational.)
Antonyms
doubt (To feel uncertain about something.)
Collocations
know for sure
|know full well
Themes
certainty
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I know she'll say yes.
- He knows it's going to rain tomorrow.
- We know this is the right decision.
Learner examples
- I know you are right.
- She knows it will rain.
- We know he is here.
Grammar
Dictionary form
know
IPA
GB/nˈoʊ/
US/nˈoʊ/
Syllables & stress
know (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (know)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: know
- 3rd Person Singular: knows
- Present Participle: knowing
- Past: knew
- Past Participle: known
Word family
Forms
knows
verb
knowing
verb
knew
verb
known
verb
Core family
knowledge
noun B1
knowledgeable
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
unknown
adjective B1
unknowingly
adverb B2
Related words
know-how
noun B2
Advanced or less common
knowingly
adverb B2
Highlights
- Irregular past: knew Verb
- Irregular past participle: known Verb
Expressions
be in the know
1/bˈi ˈɪn ðə nˈoʊ/
idiom
informal
Have special information others lack
To have special or secret information that others do not have.
Examples
- Only a few people are in the know about the project.
- He likes to feel in the know about company gossip.
know by heart
1/nˈoʊ bˈaɪ hˈɑɹt/
idiom
Remember exactly without looking
To remember something perfectly without looking at it.
Examples
- I know all the lyrics by heart.
- She knows her phone number by heart.
know for sure
1/nˈoʊ fɚ ʃˈʊɹ/
fixed phrase
Be completely certain about something
To be completely sure that something is true.
Examples
- I don't know for sure if he'll come.
- She knows for sure that she passed the exam.
not that I know of
1/nˈɑt ðˈæt ˈaɪ nˈoʊ əv/
fixed phrase
Say you are not aware of something now
Used when you are not aware of something being true at this time.
Examples
- Is he married? Not that I know of.
- Are there any delays? Not that I know of.
you know what I mean
1/jˈu nˈoʊ wˈʌt ˈaɪ mˈin/
fixed phrase
informal
Check if listener understands meaning/feeling
Used to check if someone understands what you mean or feel.
Examples
- It's been a rough day, you know what I mean?
- He's a bit strange, you know what I mean?