know

1
[ noh ]
/ noʊ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR know ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), knew, known, know·ing.

verb (used without object), knew, known, know·ing.

to have knowledge or clear and certain perception, as of fact or truth.
to be cognizant or aware, as of some fact, circumstance, or occurrence; have information, as about something.

noun

the fact or state of knowing; knowledge.

Idioms for know

    in the know, possessing inside, secret, or special information.
    know the ropes, Informal. to understand or be familiar with the particulars of a subject or business: He knew the ropes better than anyone else in politics.

Origin of know

1
before 900; Middle English knowen, knawen, Old English gecnāwan; cognate with Old High German -cnāhan, Old Norse knā to know how, be able to; akin to Latin ( g)nōvī, Greek gignṓskein. See gnostic, can1

SYNONYMS FOR know

1 Know, comprehend, understand imply being aware of meanings. To know is to be aware of something as a fact or truth: He knows the basic facts of the subject. I know that he agrees with me. To comprehend is to know something thoroughly and to perceive its relationships to certain other ideas, facts, etc. To understand is to be fully aware not only of the meaning of something but also of its implications: I could comprehend all he said, but did not understand that he was joking.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR know ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM know

know·er, noun

Words nearby know

knotty, knotty rhatany, knotweed, knotwork, knout, know, know a thing or two, know all the answers, know beans, know better, know by heart

British Dictionary definitions for know the ropes

know
/ (nəʊ) /

verb knows, knowing, knew (njuː) or known (nəʊn) (mainly tr)

noun

in the know informal aware or informed

Derived forms of know

knowable, adjective knower, noun

Word Origin for know

Old English gecnāwan; related to Old Norse knā I can, Latin noscere to come to know

Cultural definitions for know the ropes

know the ropes

To be familiar with the details of an operation: “You won't have to train the new computer operator; she already knows the ropes.”

Idioms and Phrases with know the ropes (1 of 2)

know the ropes

Be informed about the details of a situation or task. For example, Don't worry about Sara's taking over that reporter's job—she already knows the ropes. This expression alludes to sailors learning the rigging so as to handle a sailing vessel's ropes. It was being used figuratively by the late 1800s. The same allusion is present in show someone the ropes, meaning “to familiarize someone with the details,” as in Tom's very experienced—he'll show you the ropes.

Idioms and Phrases with know the ropes (2 of 2)

know