WordGarden.ioknowingly
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈəʊɪŋli/
US
- /ˈnoʊɪŋli/
Meanings
Adverb
with awareness of what one is doing or of the facts involved
Beyond the definition
To do something "knowingly" means you are not acting by accident. You understand what you are doing, or you are aware of an important fact, and you still choose to act. It often suggests both awareness and intent. You might knowingly break a rule, or knowingly keep quiet about something important. The word often adds a legal or moral shade, because an action done this way usually seems more serious.
"Knowingly" describes an action done with awareness. It shows that the person was not confused, mistaken, or unaware. They understood what they were doing, or they knew a fact that made the action important, risky, wrong, or intentional.
It is often used in legal contexts. For example, someone might be accused of "knowingly" violating a law, selling stolen goods, or giving false information. In these cases, the word suggests they were aware of what they were doing or aware of the facts around it. It does not always mean they knew every detail of the law itself; it mainly points to awareness rather than accident.
But the word is not limited to legal writing. In everyday life, you might knowingly ignore a warning, knowingly enter a bad deal, or knowingly let a joke go too far. In each case, the person is acting with open eyes, not by mistake.
The key idea is conscious awareness. It is different from negligence or carelessness, which suggest that someone failed to notice or pay attention. "Knowingly" says the person did notice. That is why the word often adds a sense of responsibility and makes the action sound more deliberate and more serious.
Examples
- 1
Personal harm
She would never knowingly hurt a friend.
- 2
Business misconduct
The company knowingly sold products that did not meet safety standards.
- 3
False information
He signed the form after knowingly giving false information.
- 4
Hidden meaning
Maria smiled knowingly when I mentioned his name.
- Phrasesmile knowingly
smile as if you understand a secret or hidden meaning
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Family habits
Knowingly or unknowingly, we all carry habits from our families.
- Phraseknowingly or unknowingly
whether we realize it or not
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- willfully
- wittingly
- with full knowledge
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- knowingly make a false statement
- knowingly violate
- knowingly participate in
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- knowinglyadverb