knowledge

knowledge — noun

1. the facts, ideas, and practical skills that someone gets by learning, studying,

1.nounA2
Definition

the facts, ideas, and practical skills that someone gets by learning, studying, or doing something

Example

Quan gained a broad knowledge of Chinese history through years of reading.

gain + knowledge of [topic]

A basic knowledge of computers is needed for most office jobs today.

adjective + knowledge: basic knowledge

Common collocations
  • broad knowledge
  • deep knowledge
  • working knowledge
  • basic knowledge
  • general knowledge
  • background knowledge
  • expert knowledge
  • scientific knowledge
  • technical knowledge
  • gain knowledge
  • acquire knowledge
  • share knowledge
  • test someone's knowledge
  • apply knowledge
  • knowledge of
  • knowledge about
Synonyms
  • understanding

    focuses on grasping how facts connect, not just knowing them

  • expertise

    specialized, deep knowledge in a particular field

  • learning

    knowledge gained through formal study, often scholarly

  • wisdom

    knowledge used with good judgment and experience over time

Antonyms
  • ignorance

    lack of knowledge or information about a subject

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun

often followed by of + noun phrase

can take a/an when preceded by an adjective (a deep knowledge)

Usage Note

Knowledge is an uncountable noun. Do not use 'many knowledges' or 'a knowledge' on its own. However, it can take the indefinite article when an adjective precedes: 'a working knowledge of Spanish', 'a deep knowledge of art'. Use 'much knowledge', 'little knowledge', or 'a great deal of knowledge'.

Common Mistakes

He has many knowledges about cars.
He has a lot of knowledge about cars.
Knowledge is uncountable and has no plural form.
I don't have a knowledge of French.
I don't have any knowledge of French.
Without an adjective before it, 'a knowledge' sounds unnatural.

2. being aware that a particular fact, event, or situation is true or has taken pla

2.nounB1
Definition

being aware that a particular fact, event, or situation is true or has taken place

Example

It was common knowledge at Oakwood College that Professor Lai won an award, though David learned this from colleagues.

common knowledge + that-clause

Hyun had no knowledge of the budget cuts until his manager told him.

have + no + knowledge + of

Common collocations
  • common knowledge
  • public knowledge
  • prior knowledge
  • full knowledge
  • without someone's knowledge
  • to someone's knowledge
  • to the best of someone's knowledge
  • have knowledge of
  • no knowledge of
  • little knowledge of
Synonyms
  • awareness

    slightly more formal; emphasizes consciousness of a fact

  • familiarity

    suggests personal experience or close acquaintance with something

  • cognizance

    very formal; used mainly in legal or official writing

Antonyms
  • unawareness

    lack of knowledge that something exists or has happened

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun

knowledge + that-clause

have + no/little + knowledge + of

without + possessor + knowledge

Usage Note

This sense focuses on being aware that something exists or has occurred, rather than having detailed understanding. Frequently used in legal and formal contexts: 'with full knowledge of the risks', 'without my knowledge'. The phrase 'to someone's knowledge' and 'to the best of someone's knowledge' also belong to this sense.

Common Mistakes

I don't have the knowledge about the accident.
I don't have any knowledge of the accident.
Use 'of', not 'about', when referring to awareness of an event.
It is a common knowledge that tea is popular in Taiwan.
It is common knowledge that tea is popular in Taiwan.
'Common knowledge' takes no article.
Idioms

to (the best of) your knowledge

idiom

used when saying that you believe something is true based on what you know, but you are not completely certain because there may be facts you do not have

To the best of my knowledge, the last train to Taipei leaves at 11:30 p.m.

No one has reported the missing key to the office, to my knowledge.

be common/public knowledge

idiom

Something that is known by many people, especially in a particular group or community.

The fact that they are dating is common knowledge at school.

It's public knowledge that the company is losing money.

come to somebody’s knowledge

idiom

To become known by someone, often after being hidden or secret.

It came to my knowledge that Sara had been lying.

Has any evidence come to your knowledge about the theft?

to the best of your knowledge/belief

idiom

Based on what you know, but you are not completely sure.

To the best of my knowledge, the meeting is still on.

He has never been late, to the best of my belief.

to your knowledge

idiom

According to the information you have, though you might not know everything.

To your knowledge, has anyone complained about the noise?

She never, to my knowledge, missed a deadline.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Knowledge refers broadly to facts, ideas, and skills gained through learning or experience. Understanding goes deeper — it implies not just knowing facts but grasping how they connect and why they matter. Expertise is specialized, advanced knowledge in a particular field, usually gained through extensive training or practice. Wisdom takes knowledge a step further by adding good judgment and life experience; a knowledgeable person can recite facts, but a wise person knows when and how to apply them. For example, a medical student has knowledge of anatomy, a surgeon has expertise in performing operations, and an experienced doctor who knows when to break the rules shows wisdom.

knowledge ↗understanding ↗expertise ↗wisdom ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • to the best of one's knowledge
  • without someone's knowledge
  • to someone's knowledge
  • to my knowledge
  • with full knowledge of
  • in the knowledge that

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Knowledge comes from Middle English 'knowleche', formed from 'knowen' (to know) plus the suffix '-leche', which indicated a state or process. The root goes back to Old English 'cnāwan' (to know), from Proto-Germanic '*knēaną', and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root '*ǵneh₃-' (to know). This ancient root also gave us words such as 'can', 'cognition', 'recognize', 'diagnosis', and 'noble'.