Knowledge — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈnä-lij/ knowl·edge

Meaning & Definition of Knowledge

Knowledge (noun)

  1. information, understanding, or skill that you get from experience or education
  2. acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique
  3. the fact or condition of being aware of something

Knowledge (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a body of facts learned by study or experience

    "the forest ranger shared some of his vast knowledge of the woods with us"

    "a knowledge of local customs"

    similar: lore, science, wisdom
    related: dope, information, intelligence, know, lowdown, news, skinny (slang), data, evidence, facts, acquaintance, awareness, familiarity, literacy, erudition, learning, scholarship, expertise, know-how
    near: ignorance, inexperience, innocence, nescience, unfamiliarity

  2. the understanding and information gained from being educated

    "the purpose of the tests is to evaluate how much knowledge you have gained in a particular subject"

    similar: education, erudition, learnedness, learning, literacy, scholarship
    related: culture, edification, enlightenment, reading, bookishness, pedantry
    opposite: ignorance, illiteracy, illiterateness
    near: functional illiteracy

  3. a state of being aware

    "my knowledge that I was watching a true story made the film more compelling"

    similar: advertence, advertency, attention, awareness, cognizance, consciousness, ear, eye, heed, mindfulness, note, notice, observance, observation
    related: hyperawareness, hyperconsciousness, advisement, care, concern, consideration, regard, watch, apprehension, discernment, grasp, mind, perception, recognition, thought, understanding
    near: disregard, neglect, obliviousness, unawareness

Related Entry: Self-knowledge (noun)

Self-knowledge is a different word from Knowledge. The synonyms below are for self-knowledge, not for knowledge.

  1. as in self-revelation

    similar: self-revelation, self-actualization, self-discovery, self-exploration, self-fulfillment, self-realization, self-concept, self-image, self-perception, introversion, self-absorption, self-centeredness, self-concern, self-involvement, contemplation, meditation, reflection, rumination, self-analysis, self-awareness, self-consciousness, self-recognition, introspection, self-contemplation, self-examination, self-observation, self-questioning, self-reflection, self-scrutiny, self-searching, soul-searching

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Knowledge

The most common words with a similar meaning to Knowledge:

lore, science, wisdom, education, erudition, learnedness, learning, literacy, scholarship, advertence, advertency, attention, awareness, cognizance, consciousness, ear, eye, heed, mindfulness, note, notice, observance, observation

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Knowledge

Words with the opposite meaning of Knowledge:

ignorance, illiteracy, illiterateness

Related Words for Knowledge

dope, information, intelligence, know, lowdown, news, skinny, data, evidence, facts, acquaintance, familiarity, expertise, know-how, culture, edification, enlightenment, reading, bookishness, pedantry, hyperawareness, hyperconsciousness, advisement, care, concern, consideration, regard, watch, apprehension, discernment

Near Antonyms of Knowledge

inexperience, innocence, nescience, unfamiliarity, functional illiteracy, disregard, neglect, obliviousness, unawareness

Origin & Etymology of Knowledge

Middle English knowlege, from knowlechen to acknowledge, irregular from knowen

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Knowledge

Words & Phrases Containing Knowledge

knowledge engineering, self-knowledge, common knowledge, public knowledge, safe/secure in the knowledge, to one's knowledge, without someone's knowledge, be secure in the belief/knowledge

Frequently Asked Questions about Knowledge

What does "Knowledge" mean?

"Knowledge" means information, understanding, or skill that you get from experience or education. As a noun, it is defined as: information, understanding, or skill that you get from experience or education. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Knowledge"?

Other words for "Knowledge" include lore, science, wisdom, education, erudition, learnedness, learning and literacy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Knowledge" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Knowledge"?

There are 59 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Knowledge". Common alternatives include lore, science, wisdom, education, erudition, learnedness, learning, literacy, scholarship and advertence.

What is the opposite of "Knowledge"?

Antonyms of "Knowledge" include ignorance, illiteracy and illiterateness. Near antonyms include inexperience, innocence, nescience and unfamiliarity.

How do you use "Knowledge" in a sentence?

Examples of "Knowledge" in a sentence: "the forest ranger shared some of his vast knowledge of the woods with us"; "a knowledge of local customs"; "the purpose of the tests is to evaluate how much knowledge you have gained in a particular subject".

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

"Knowledge" is a noun.

Is "Knowledge" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Knowledge" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Knowledge"?

"Knowledge" is pronounced /ˈnä-lij/ and divided into syllables as knowl·edge.