Verb A1 — Beginner /nəʊ/

Know — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

To have something as a fact in your mind — a stative verb central to all communication.

Quick Definition

To know means to have a fact, skill, or person in your mind; to be familiar with something.

What Does Know Mean?

The word know is one of the most frequently used words in the English language. It appears in everyday conversation, academic writing, news media, and literature at A1 — Beginner level. Learners who master know alongside its common collocations and word family will find their fluency improving rapidly.

Understanding exactly when and how to use know requires attention to context. Many ESL learners know the basic meaning but struggle with the subtle differences between know and its nearest synonyms. Paying attention to how native speakers use the word in real sentences — rather than just memorising an isolated definition — is the key to internalising it correctly.

The word family built around know extends its usefulness considerably. Related adjectives, adverbs, and nouns built on the same root allow you to express nuanced ideas with greater precision. When you learn know, try to also learn two or three related forms so that you can use the concept flexibly across different grammatical contexts.

Example Sentences

SentenceUsage note
She needed to know in this situation.basic use
It is know to understand the context.adjective/verb context
The teacher asked students to know the exercise.educational context

Synonyms

understandrealiserecognisebe aware ofbe familiar withcomprehend

Antonyms

be ignorant ofnot knowmisunderstandbe unaware

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

Common mistake: misusing know without correct grammar pattern.

Correct: always study know in full sentence context to see how it combines with other words.

Related Vocabulary

All Common Words → Grammar Glossary Vocabulary Hub Flash Cards

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “know”

What does know mean?
Know means: To have something in your mind as a fact or to be familiar with something. It is commonly used at A1 — Beginner level in English and appears frequently in both spoken and written English.
What part of speech is know?
Know is a verb. It describes an action or state. Understanding the part of speech helps you use know in grammatically correct sentences.
How do you use know in a sentence?
Here are three examples: 1) 'This is a know situation.' 2) 'We need to know carefully.' 3) 'The know of this process is important.' The word know works best when you study it in full context rather than in isolation.
What is the CEFR level for know?
The word know is at A1 — Beginner on the CEFR scale. This means it is part of the core beginner vocabulary every learner should know first.
What are synonyms for know?
Common synonyms include words that share a similar meaning to know. When choosing a synonym, always consider the context — slight differences in meaning or register can change how natural a sentence sounds. Practise with LexFizz Flash Cards to learn synonyms efficiently.
What is the opposite of know?
The opposite (antonym) of know helps you understand the full range of meaning. Knowing antonyms alongside the main word doubles your vocabulary in one go. For example, learning 'fast' and 'slow' together makes both words stick better in memory.
Is know formal or informal?
The word know is versatile and works in both formal and informal contexts at A1 — Beginner level. In academic writing, you may find more specific synonyms used in its place, but know itself is entirely appropriate in essays, reports, emails, and conversations.
How do I remember the meaning of know?
Try associating know with a vivid image or a memorable sentence. Writing three example sentences with know and saying them aloud is one of the most effective memorisation strategies. LexFizz's Flash Cards exercise uses spaced repetition to help vocabulary like know transfer to long-term memory.
What are common collocations with know?
Collocations are words that naturally appear together. Learning know as part of a collocation phrase rather than in isolation makes it much easier to use correctly. Study real-world examples in articles, stories, and exercises to build a natural sense for which words combine with know.
How can I practise using know on LexFizz?
LexFizz's Flash Cards, Complete the Sentence, and Quiz exercises all feature high-frequency vocabulary including know. Try the Hangman exercise for a fun way to revise spelling, and use the Word Search to recognise know quickly in context. Regular short practice sessions are more effective than occasional long ones.