Basic Details
Word: Knowing
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Showing that you understand something that has not been said, or know a secret; also the ing form of know.
Synonyms: meaningful, aware, shrewd, understanding
Antonyms: innocent, unaware
How to Spell Knowing
Syllables: know - ing
Tricky part: It begins with a silent k, and the w of know stays before ing. Nowing and knoing are both wrong.
Watch out for: nowing, knoing
Memory tip: Knowing begins with the same silent k as knife, knee and knock. Keep know whole and add ing.
Idioms and Phrases
- there is no knowing: it is impossible to tell Example: "There is no knowing what the weather will do in the hills."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Without knowing it, I had taken my brother's bag to school.
Example 2: Knowing the way, Raju led us through the narrow lanes of the old city.
Example 3: She smiled a knowing smile, as if she had already guessed the surprise.
Fun Fact
The k in know was once pronounced. In Old English the word began with a clear k sound, which fell silent roughly four hundred years ago.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Nowing that the monsoon would arrive early this year, the farmers in the village finished sowing their rice before the first dark clouds rolled in.
a) monsoon
b) sowing
c) clouds
d) Nowing
Show answer
d) Nowing. Know starts with a silent k, and knowing keeps it.
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to knowing as used in the sentence:
When I said I had already finished my homework, my mother gave me a knowing look.
a) meaningful
b) blank
c) sleepy
d) puzzled
Show answer
a) meaningful. A knowing look says more than words; it is a meaningful look.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Not gwkinno the answer, Aditi made a careful guess.
a) nothing
b) owning
c) knowing
d) kneeling
Show answer
c) knowing. The jumble has a k and a w, which only knowing uses.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A knowing smile suggests that the person ____.
a) has a bad toothache and cannot speak
b) is completely lost and confused by everything
c) understands something that has not been said
d) is very tired after a long day at school
Show answer
c) understands something that has not been said
2. Find the other word that starts with a silent k.
a) king
b) knot
c) kite
d) kettle
Show answer
b) knot
