A knowing gesture or remark is one that shows that you understand something, for example the way that someone is feeling or what they really mean, even though it has not been mentioned directly.
Ron gave her a knowing smile.
Dan exchanged a knowing look with Harry.
Synonyms: meaningful, significant, expressive, eloquent More Synonyms of knowing
knowinglyadverb
He smiled knowingly.
More Synonyms of knowing
knowing in British English
(ˈnəʊɪŋ)
adjective
1.
suggesting secret information or knowledge
2.
wise, shrewd, or clever
3.
deliberate; intentional
noun
4. there is no knowing
Derived forms
knowingly (ˈknowingly)
adverb
knowingness (ˈknowingness)
noun
knowing in American English
(ˈnoʊɪŋ)
adjective
1.
having knowledge or information
2.
shrewd; clever
3.
implying shrewd understanding or possession of secret or inside information
a knowing look
4.
deliberate; intentional
noun
5.
awareness or familiarity
Derived forms
knowingly (ˈknowingly)
adverb
knowingness (ˈknowingness)
noun
Examples of 'knowing' in a sentence
knowing
It was simply the easiest way back, he insisted, ignoring Dace's knowing smirk.
Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)
He came alongside her, not knowing what they were doing in this place.
Robert Wilson THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2001)
Not without knowing more about the spells that had been broken here.
Garth Nix LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)
They stared at each other for a few moments, not touching, not knowing what to say.
Gregg Andrew Hurwitz MINUTES TO BURN (2001)
Chinese translation of 'knowing'
knowing
(ˈnəuɪŋ)
adj
[smile, look]心照不宣的 (xīnzhào bù xuān de)
Seeknew
Nearby words of
knowing
know-all
know-how
know-it-all
knowing
knowingly
knowledge
knowledgeable
Related terms of
knowing
know
without anyone knowing
1 (adjective)
Definition
suggesting secret knowledge
Ron gave her a knowing smile.
Synonyms
meaningful
The two exchanged a quick, meaningful look.
significant
The old woman gave her a significant glance.
expressive
All his poems are expressive of his love for nature.
eloquent
Her only reply was an eloquent glance at the clock.
enigmatic
suggestive
2 (adjective)
Definition
deliberate
Synonyms
deliberate
The attack was deliberate and unprovoked.
intended
aware
conscious
Make a conscious effort to relax your muscles.
intentional
I can't blame him. It wasn't intentional.
Opposites
accidental
,
unintentional
3 (adjective)
Definition
cunning or shrewd
Synonyms
cunning
He's a cunning, devious, good-for-nothing so-and-so.
experienced
a team made up of experienced professionals
expert
The faces of the waxworks are modelled by expert sculptors.
qualified
Demand has far outstripped supply of qualified teachers.
acute
His relaxed exterior hides an extremely acute mind.
clever
My sister has always been the clever one in our family.
intelligent
Rita is a highly intelligent woman.
competent
shrewd
She's a shrewd businesswoman.
a shrewd guess
discerning
tailor-made holidays to suit the more discerning traveller
skilful
his skilful use of light and shade
astute
He made a series of astute business decisions.
perceptive
a very perceptive critique of Wordsworth
well-informed
sagacious (formal)
a wise and sagacious leader
clued-up (informal)
Opposites
naive
,
ingenuous
,
wet behind the ears (informal)
,
ignorant
,
obtuse
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acute
Definition
penetrating in perception or insight
His relaxed exterior hides an extremely acute mind.
Synonyms
perceptive,
sharp,
keen,
smart,
sensitive,
clever,
subtle,
piercing,
penetrating,
discriminating,
discerning,
ingenious,
astute,
intuitive,
canny,
incisive,
insightful,
observant,
perspicacious (formal),
on the ball (informal)
in the sense of astute
Definition
quick to notice or understand
He made a series of astute business decisions.
Synonyms
intelligent,
politic,
bright,
sharp,
keen,
calculating,
clever,
subtle,
penetrating,
knowing,
shrewd,
cunning,
discerning,
sly,
on the ball (informal),
canny,
perceptive,
wily,
crafty,
artful,
insightful,
foxy,
adroit,
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of clever
Definition
displaying sharp intelligence or mental alertness
My sister has always been the clever one in our family.
Synonyms
intelligent,
quick,
bright,
talented,
gifted,
keen,
capable,
smart,
sensible,
rational,
witty,
apt,
discerning,
knowledgeable,
astute,
brainy (informal),
quick-witted,
sagacious (formal),
knowing,
deep,
expert
Nearby words of
knowing
know the ropes
know-all
know-how
knowing
knowingly
knowledge
knowledgeable
Related terms of
knowing
know
Synonyms of 'knowing'
knowing
Explore 'knowing' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of conscious
Definition
deliberate or intentional
Make a conscious effort to relax your muscles.
Synonyms
deliberate,
knowing,
reasoning,
studied,
responsible,
calculated,
rational,
reflective,
self-conscious,
intentional,
wilful,
premeditated
in the sense of discerning
Definition
having or showing good judgment
tailor-made holidays to suit the more discerning traveller
Synonyms
discriminating,
knowing,
sharp,
critical,
acute,
sensitive,
wise,
intelligent,
subtle,
piercing,
penetrating,
shrewd,
ingenious,
astute,
perceptive,
judicious,
clear-sighted,
percipient,
perspicacious (formal),
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of eloquent
Definition
visibly or vividly expressive
Her only reply was an eloquent glance at the clock.
Synonyms
expressive,
telling,
pointed,
revealing,
significant,
pregnant,
vivid,
meaningful,
indicative,
suggestive
in the sense of experienced
Definition
skilful or knowledgeable as a result of having done something many times before
a team made up of experienced professionals
Synonyms
knowledgeable,
trained,
professional,
skilled,
tried,
tested,
seasoned,
expert,
master,
qualified,
familiar,
capable,
veteran,
practised,
accomplished,
competent,
skilful,
adept,
well-versed
in the sense of expert
Definition
skilful or knowledgeable
The faces of the waxworks are modelled by expert sculptors.
Synonyms
skilful,
trained,
experienced,
able,
professional,
skilled,
master,
masterly,
qualified,
talented,
outstanding,
clever,
practised,
accomplished,
handy,
competent,
tasty (British, informal),
apt,
adept,
knowledgeable,
virtuoso,
deft,
proficient,
facile,
adroit,
dexterous,
leet (slang)
in the sense of expressive
All his poems are expressive of his love for nature.
Synonyms
meaningful,
indicative,
suggestive,
demonstrative,
revealing,
significant,
allusive
in the sense of intelligent
Definition
having or showing intelligence
Rita is a highly intelligent woman.
Synonyms
clever,
bright,
smart,
knowing,
quick,
sharp,
acute,
alert,
rational,
penetrating,
enlightened,
apt,
discerning,
knowledgeable,
astute,
well-informed,
brainy (informal),
perspicacious,
quick-witted,
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of intentional
Definition
done on purpose
I can't blame him. It wasn't intentional.
Synonyms
deliberate,
meant,
planned,
studied,
designed,
purposed,
intended,
calculated,
wilful,
premeditated,
prearranged,
done on purpose,
preconcerted
in the sense of perceptive
Definition
observant
a very perceptive critique of Wordsworth
Synonyms
observant,
acute,
intelligent,
discerning,
quick,
aware,
sharp,
sensitive,
alert,
penetrating,
discriminating,
shrewd,
responsive,
astute,
intuitive,
insightful,
percipient,
perspicacious (formal)
in the sense of qualified
Definition
having completed a training or degree course and gained the relevant certificates
Demand has far outstripped supply of qualified teachers.