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A lightweight JavaScript package for English word definitions and collections.
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{
"term": "know",
"partOfSpeech": "verb",
"ox3000": true,
"cefr": "a1",
"verbForms": {
"presentSimple": {
"iYouWeThey": "know",
"heSheIt": "knows"
},
"pastSimple": "knew",
"pastParticiple": "known",
"ingForm": "knowing"
},
"definitions": [
{
"senseNumber": 1,
"definition": "to have information in your mind as a result of experience or because you have learned or been told it",
"sensetop": "know somethingknow (that)…it is known that…know where, who, etc…know about somethingknow of somebody/somethingknow to do somethingknow somebody/something to be/do something",
"labels": "(informal)",
"cefr": "a1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "No one **knows the answer**.",
"contextForm": "know something"
},
{
"text": "I need to **know your name**."
},
{
"text": "The truth about what happened is not yet known."
},
{
"text": "**All I know** is that she used to work in a bank *(= I have no other information about her)*."
},
{
"text": "I know (that) people’s handwriting changes as they get older.",
"contextForm": "know (that)…"
},
{
"text": "We **know from experience** that turning a hobby into a business is not easy."
},
{
"text": "I **know for a fact **(that) he didn't go to the party."
},
{
"text": "‘There's no one in.’ ‘**How do you know?**’"
},
{
"text": "‘You've got a flat tyre.’ ‘I know.’"
},
{
"text": "‘What's the answer?’ ‘I don't know.’"
},
{
"text": "**As you know**, Emma and I are old friends."
},
{
"text": "‘Isn’t that his car?’ ‘**I wouldn’t know./How should I know?**’ *(= I don’t know and I am not the person you should ask.)*"
},
{
"text": "‘What are you two whispering about?’ ‘**You don't want to know**’ *(= because you would be shocked or wouldn't approve)*."
},
{
"text": "It is widely known that CFCs can damage the ozone layer.",
"contextForm": "it is known that…"
},
{
"text": "I knew where he was hiding.",
"contextForm": "know where, who, etc…"
},
{
"text": "No one **knows for sure** who did it."
},
{
"text": "You know about Amanda's baby, don't you?",
"contextForm": "know about something"
},
{
"text": "**I don't know about you, but** I'm ready for something to eat."
},
{
"text": "I **know next to nothing** *(= know almost nothing)* about opera."
},
{
"text": "I know of someone who can help us.",
"contextForm": "know of somebody/something"
},
{
"text": "‘Is anyone else coming?’ ‘**Not that I know of.**’"
},
{
"text": "Does he know to come here *(= that he should come here)* first?",
"contextForm": "know to do something"
},
{
"text": "We know her to be honest.",
"contextForm": "know somebody/something to be/do something"
},
{
"text": "Strobe lights are known to cause seizures."
},
{
"text": "Do you know his address?"
},
{
"text": "The cause of the fire is not yet known."
},
{
"text": "Two women are known to have died."
},
{
"text": "I didn't know what he was talking about."
},
{
"text": "I need to know what everyone thinks about this."
},
{
"text": "‘He's feeling really down.’ ‘ I know.’"
},
{
"text": "She knows a lot about early music."
},
{
"text": "I don't know much about art."
},
{
"text": "I don't know for certain, but I think she lives in the next town."
},
{
"text": "I don't know of anyone who might be interested in the job."
},
{
"text": "I honestly don't know what they mean to do."
},
{
"text": "The properties of this substance are poorly known."
},
{
"text": "If you don't know how to fill in the forms, just ask."
}
],
"collocations": {
"adverb": ["full well", "perfectly well", "very well"],
"verb + know": ["let somebody"],
"preposition": ["about", "of"],
"phrases": [
"be widely known",
"know a lot, nothing, very little, etc.",
"you never know"
]
}
},
{
"senseNumber": 2,
"definition": "to realize, understand or be aware of something",
"sensetop": "know (that)…know what, how, etc…know something",
"cefr": "a1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "As soon as I walked in the room I knew (that) something was wrong.",
"contextForm": "know (that)…"
},
{
"text": "She knew she was dying."
},
{
"text": "‘Martin was lying all the time.’ ‘**I should have known**.’"
},
{
"text": "I knew perfectly well what she meant.",
"contextForm": "know what, how, etc…"
},
{
"text": "I **know exactly** how you feel."
},
{
"text": "This case is hopeless **and he knows it** *(= although he will not admit it)*.",
"contextForm": "know something"
},
{
"text": "If only we'd known you were having so many problems!"
},
{
"text": "You know very well what I'm talking about!"
},
{
"text": "If I'd known beforehand how bad it would be, I wouldn't have gone."
},
{
"text": "I instantly knew what the call was about."
},
{
"text": "He knew instinctively where he would find her."
}
],
"collocations": {
"adverb": ["exactly", "precisely", "immediately"],
"phrases": ["the next thing I, he, etc. knew"]
}
},
{
"senseNumber": 3,
"definition": "to feel certain about something",
"sensetop": "know (that)…know (something)",
"cefr": "a1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "He knew (that) he could trust her.",
"contextForm": "know (that)…"
},
{
"text": "I know it's here somewhere!"
},
{
"text": "I know things will turn out all right."
},
{
"text": "I don't know that I can finish it by next week."
},
{
"text": "I just knew that it was something I wanted to do."
},
{
"text": "‘You were right—someone's been spreading rumours about you.’ ‘I knew it!’",
"contextForm": "know (something)"
},
{
"text": "‘She's the worst player in the team.’ ‘Oh, **I don't know** *(= I am not sure that I agree)*—she played well yesterday.’"
},
{
"text": "She knew deep down that she would never see him again."
},
{
"text": "He knew that he could trust her."
},
{
"text": "I just knew there would be problems."
}
],
"topics": ["Doubt, guessing and certainty"],
"collocations": {
"adverb": ["exactly", "precisely", "immediately"],
"phrases": ["the next thing I, he, etc. knew"]
}
},
{
"senseNumber": 4,
"definition": "to be familiar with a person, place, thing, etc.",
"sensetop": "know somebody/something",
"cefr": "a1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "I've known David for 20 years."
},
{
"text": "Do you two know each other *(= have you met before)*?"
},
{
"text": "She was a secretary when I first knew her."
},
{
"text": "She's very nice when you **get to know** her."
},
{
"text": "**Knowing Ben**, we could be waiting a long time *(= it is typical of him to be late)*."
},
{
"text": "This man **is known to the police** *(= as a criminal)*."
},
{
"text": "I don’t know anyone in Oxford."
},
{
"text": "I **know** Paris **well**."
},
{
"text": "Do you know the play *(= have you seen or read it before)*?"
},
{
"text": "How many of your neighbours do you **know by name**?"
},
{
"text": "The new rules could mean the end of football **as we know it** *(= in the form that we are familiar with)*."
},
{
"text": "He knows this city better than anyone."
},
{
"text": "I don't know them personally."
},
{
"text": "I don't know John very well."
},
{
"text": "But I hardly know the woman!"
},
{
"text": "I know several people who could help."
},
{
"text": "The product our consumers know and love will not change."
}
],
"collocations": {
"adverb": ["well", "poorly", "barely"],
"verb + know": ["get to"],
"preposition": ["for"],
"phrases": ["be known to somebody", "be widely known"]
}
},
{
"senseNumber": 5,
"definition": "to have learned a skill or language and be able to use it",
"sensetop": "know somethingknow how to do something",
"cefr": "a1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "Do you know any Japanese?",
"contextForm": "know something"
},
{
"text": "Do you know how to use spreadsheets?",
"contextForm": "know how to do something"
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 6,
"definition": "to think that somebody/something is a particular type of person or thing or has particular characteristics",
"sensetop": "be known as somethingbe known for somethingbe known to be/do something",
"cefr": "b1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "He has become **widely known** as an expert in child psychology.",
"contextForm": "be known as something"
},
{
"text": "It's known as the most dangerous part of the city."
},
{
"text": "She is **best known** for her work on the human brain.",
"contextForm": "be known for something"
},
{
"text": "He is internationally known for his work with vaccines."
},
{
"text": "He's known to be an outstanding physicist.",
"contextForm": "be known to be/do something"
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 7,
"definition": "to give somebody/something a particular name or title",
"sensetop": "be known as somebody/somethingbe known as somebody/something to somebodybe known by something",
"cefr": "b1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "Iran was **formerly known** as Persia.",
"contextForm": "be known as somebody/something"
},
{
"text": "The H5N1 virus is **more commonly known** as bird flu."
},
{
"text": "Peter Wilson, **also known** as ‘The Tiger’"
},
{
"text": "He was known as Bonzo to his friends.",
"contextForm": "be known as somebody/something to somebody"
},
{
"text": "The country was not yet **known by the name of** England.",
"contextForm": "be known by something"
},
{
"text": "parts of the body known collectively as the sensory system"
},
{
"text": "St Petersburg is variously known as the ‘Venice of the North’, ‘second Amsterdam’ or ‘northern Rome’."
},
{
"text": "He has been known by many names in his long life."
}
],
"collocations": {
"adverb": ["commonly", "popularly", "affectionately"],
"preposition": ["to"]
}
},
{
"senseNumber": 8,
"definition": "to be able to recognize somebody/something",
"sensetop": "know somebody/something",
"cefr": "b1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "I couldn't see who was speaking, but I knew the voice."
},
{
"text": "She knows a bargain when she sees one."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 9,
"definition": "to understand the difference between one person or thing and another",
"sensetop": "know somebody/something from somebody/something",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I hope we have taught our children to know right from wrong."
}
],
"synonyms": "distinguish (1), tell (7)"
},
{
"senseNumber": 10,
"definition": "to have seen, heard or experienced something",
"sensetop": "know somebody/something (to) do somethingbe known to do something",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I’ve never known it (to) snow in July before.",
"contextForm": "know somebody/something (to) do something"
},
{
"text": "He has been known to spend all morning in the bathroom.",
"contextForm": "be known to do something"
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 11,
"definition": "to have personal experience of something",
"sensetop": "know something",
"examples": [
{
"text": "He has known both poverty and wealth."
},
{
"text": "She may be successful now, but she has **known what it is like to be** poor."
},
{
"text": "She thought she would never know the joy of seeing a child grow up in her care."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to say that you think you know, remember, understand, etc. something but you cannot be completely sure, especially because you do not know all the facts",
"examples": [
{
"text": "As far as we knew, there was no cause for concern."
},
{
"text": "As far as I can see, you've done nothing wrong."
},
{
"text": "She lived in Chicago, as far as I can remember."
}
],
"topics": ["Doubt, guessing and certainty"]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "very quickly or suddenly",
"examples": [
{
"text": "We were whisked off in a taxi before we knew where we were."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to have no way of realizing or being aware that you have done something wrong",
"examples": [
{
"text": "‘I'm sorry, I called when you were in bed.’ ‘Don't worry—you weren't to know.’"
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to say that it is easier and wiser to stay in a bad situation that you know and can deal with rather than change to a new situation that may be much worse",
"labels": "(saying)",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to emphasize that you do not know something and that it is not important to you",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "She could be dead for all I know."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 1,
"definition": "used to emphasize that you do not know something",
"examples": [
{
"text": "God knows what else they might find."
},
{
"text": "‘Where are they?’ ‘Goodness knows.’"
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 2,
"definition": "used to emphasize the truth of what you are saying",
"examples": [
{
"text": "She ought to pass the exam—goodness knows she's been working hard enough."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to be confident that you know something, especially when you actually do not",
"labels": "(informal, often disapproving)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "He thinks he knows all the answers."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to know something perfectly so that you can repeat it at any time without having to think about it",
"examples": [
{
"text": "He had all the answers off pat."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to be in poor condition",
"labels": "(humorous)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "Our car has seen better days!"
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to criticize somebody’s behaviour",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I don't know how you can say things like that."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to tell somebody the true facts about a situation, especially when these are not known by other people",
"examples": [
{
"text": "If the truth be known, I was afraid to tell anyone."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 1,
"definition": "used to agree with somebody or to show sympathy",
"cefr": "a2",
"examples": [
{
"text": "‘What a ridiculous situation!’ ‘I know.’"
}
],
"topics": ["Opinion and argument"]
},
{
"senseNumber": 2,
"definition": "used to introduce a new idea or suggestion",
"cefr": "b1",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I know, let's see what's on at the theatre."
}
],
"topics": ["Suggestions and advice"]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to criticize somebody by saying that they should realize or understand something",
"examples": [
{
"text": "You know as well as I do that you're being unreasonable."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to know somebody/something extremely well",
"labels": "(especially British English, informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "She must know the play backwards by now."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to know what should be done, etc. better than other people",
"examples": [
{
"text": "The doctor told you to stay in bed, and she knows best."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to be sensible enough not to do something",
"examples": [
{
"text": "He knows better than to judge by appearances."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to recognize somebody without knowing them well",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to have information or evidence that the opposite is true",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "He says he doesn't care about what the critics write, but I know different."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to be very aware of a fact and unable to deny or ignore it",
"examples": [
{
"text": "He knew full well what she thought of it."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to be very familiar with somebody/something",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "This is where I grew up. I know this area like the back of my hand."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to have very clear and definite ideas about what you want to do",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to know a lot about a particular subject or job",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to know/tell somebody some useful, interesting or surprising information about somebody/something",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "She's been married five times, so she knows a thing or two about men!"
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to know something because of something unpleasant that has happened to you",
"examples": [
{
"text": "She is a tough competitor, as I know to my cost."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to be familiar with a place, subject, etc.",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to have knowledge about something from your own experience",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I worked there for 20 years, so I know what I'm talking about."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to know where you can get an advantage for yourself",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to make sure that people are informed about something, especially by getting somebody else to tell them",
"labels": "(formal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "The President has let it be known that he does not intend to run for election again."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to tell somebody about something",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "I don't know if I can come, but I'll let you know tomorrow."
},
{
"text": "Let me know how I can help."
},
{
"text": "Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to emphasize what you are saying",
"examples": [
{
"text": "Lord knows, I tried to teach her."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to say that you do not know the answer to something",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "‘Why did she say that?’ ‘Lord knows!’"
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to introduce yourself to somebody",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I made myself known to the hotel manager."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to behave badly, usually because you have not been taught the correct way to behave",
"examples": [
{
"text": "Don’t blame the children—they don’t know any better."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to be very stupid; to have absolutely no skill",
"labels": "(British English, offensive, slang)",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to know nothing about a subject",
"labels": "(North American English, informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I don’t know beans about making movies."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to know nothing at all about somebody/something",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I’m afraid I don’t know the first thing about cars."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to know nothing at all about something/somebody",
"examples": [
{
"text": "We’ve lived next to him for years, but we still don’t know the first thing about him."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to not know at all who somebody is",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to be so surprised by something that you do not know how to react",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to feel very embarrassed and not know how to react",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to be so excited or confused that you cannot behave or think in a sensible way",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to have an easy life without realizing how easy it is",
"labels": "(British English, informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "You people without kids don't know you're born."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to take no interest in something because you do not care about it or it is too much trouble",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I've tried to ask her advice, but she doesn't want to know *(= about my problems)*."
},
{
"text": "‘How much was it?’ ‘**You don't want to know**’ *(= it is better if you don't know)*."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "old enough to behave in a more sensible way than you actually did",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "to show somebody/know/learn how a particular job should be done",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to say that it is impossible to say what might happen",
"examples": [
{
"text": "There's no knowing how he'll react."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to say that somebody knows nothing about the subject you are talking about",
"examples": [
{
"text": "What does he know about football, anyway?"
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to express surprise",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "Well, what do you know? Look who's here!"
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "(know) what things are useful, important, etc.",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "She certainly knows what's what."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 1,
"definition": "used when you are thinking of what to say next",
"examples": [
{
"text": "Well, you know, it's difficult to explain."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 2,
"definition": "used to show that what you are referring to is known or understood by the person you are speaking to",
"examples": [
{
"text": "Guess who I've just seen? Maggie! You know—Jim's wife."
},
{
"text": "You know that restaurant round the corner? It's closed down."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 3,
"definition": "used to emphasize something that you are saying",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I'm not stupid, you know."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to introduce an interesting or surprising opinion, piece of news, etc.",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "You know something? I've never really enjoyed Christmas."
}
],
"topics": ["Opinion and argument"]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to refer to somebody/something without mentioning a name",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": []
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to say that you can never be certain about what will happen in the future, especially when you are suggesting that something good might happen",
"labels": "(informal)",
"examples": [],
"topics": ["Doubt, guessing and certainty", "Suggestions and advice"]
}
],
"pronunciations": {
"uk": [
{
"pronunciation": "/nəʊ/",
"audio": "kn/know/know__gb_2.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/nəʊz/",
"audio": "kn/know/knows__gb_1.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/njuː/",
"audio": "kn/know/knew__gb_2.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/nəʊn/",
"audio": "kn/know/known__gb_3.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/ˈnəʊɪŋ/",
"audio": "kn/know/knowing__gb_2.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/aɪ ˈnəʊ/",
"audio": "i/know/i_know_1_gb_1.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/ˈaɪ nəʊ/",
"audio": "i/know/i_know_1_gb_3.mp3"
}
],
"us": [
{
"pronunciation": "/nəʊ/",
"audio": "kn/know/know__us_1.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/nəʊz/",
"audio": "kn/know/knows__us_1.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/nuː/",
"audio": "kn/know/knew__us_1.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/nəʊn/",
"audio": "kn/know/known__us_2.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/ˈnəʊɪŋ/",
"audio": "kn/know/knowing__us_1.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/aɪ ˈnəʊ/",
"audio": "i/know/i_know_1_us_1.mp3"
},
{
"pronunciation": "/ˈaɪ nəʊ/",
"audio": "i/know/i_know_1_us_3.mp3"
}
]
},
"wordOrigin": "Old English cnāwan (earlier gecnāwan) ‘recognize, identify’, of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Latin (g)noscere, Greek gignōskein, also by can and ken."
}