Ken — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈken/

Meaning & Definition of Ken

Ken (noun)

  1. the range of perception, understanding, or knowledge
  2. the range of vision
  3. sight, view

Ken (verb)

  1. see
  2. recognize
  3. know

Ken (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in sight

    similar: sight, landscape, scene, scenery, visual field, command, lookout, outlook, panorama, perspective, prospect, view, vista

  2. as in reason, intelligence

    similar: gray matter, instinct, intelligence, reason, understanding, address, adroitness, deftness, dexterity, hand, prowess, skill, might, potency, puissance, staying power, stuff, aptitude, aptness, endowment, equipment, facility, gift, knack, talent, adequacy, effectiveness, effectualness, fitness, form, influence, resourcefulness, usefulness, ability, capability, capableness, capacity, competence, competency, faculty, means, resources, wherewithal
    opposite: disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, ineptness, helplessness, impotence, paralysis, powerlessness, weakness, defectiveness, deficiency, inadequacy, inadequateness, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, debilitation, disablement, impairment, incapacitation

  3. as in extent, scope

    similar: ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, reach, scope, sweep, width, occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation, subfield, subspecialty, territory, turf, study, subject, frontier, area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, field, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walk

Ken (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in follow, appreciate

    similar: appreciate, apprehend, cognize, fathom, follow, perceive, savvy, comprehend, grasp, know, understand, have, possess, catch on (to), pick up
    opposite: misapprehend, misconceive, misinterpret, misknow, misperceive, misunderstand

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ken

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ken:

sight, landscape, scene, scenery, visual field, command, lookout, outlook, panorama, perspective, prospect, view, vista, gray matter, instinct, intelligence, reason, understanding, address, adroitness, deftness, dexterity, hand, prowess, skill, might, potency, puissance, staying power, stuff, aptitude, aptness, endowment, equipment, facility, gift, knack, talent, adequacy, effectiveness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ken

Words with the opposite meaning of Ken:

disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, ineptness, helplessness, impotence, paralysis, powerlessness, weakness, defectiveness, deficiency, inadequacy, inadequateness, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, debilitation, disablement, impairment, incapacitation, misapprehend, misconceive

Word Forms of Ken

Inflections: kenned, kenning

Origin & Etymology of Ken

Middle English kennen, from Old English cennan to make known & Old Norse kenna to perceive; both akin to Old English can know can:1

First known use: 1590

Words & Phrases Containing Ken

beyond someone's ken

Frequently Asked Questions about Ken

What does "Ken" mean?

"Ken" means the range of perception, understanding, or knowledge. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the range of perception, understanding, or knowledge. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ken"?

Other words for "Ken" include sight, landscape, scene, scenery, visual field, command, lookout and outlook. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ken" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ken"?

There are 120 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ken". Common alternatives include sight, landscape, scene, scenery, visual field, command, lookout, outlook, panorama and perspective.

What is the opposite of "Ken"?

Antonyms of "Ken" include disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency and ineptitude.

Is "Ken" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ken" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Ken"?

"Ken" is pronounced /ˈken/.

What is the origin of the word "Ken"?

"Ken" comes from Middle English kennen, from Old English cennan to make known & Old Norse kenna to perceive; both akin to Old English can know can:1. First known use: 1590.

What is another word for "Ken" meaning "as in sight"?

When "Ken" (noun) means as in sight, synonyms include sight, landscape, scene, scenery, visual field and command.