What does knew mean?
“Knew” is the past tense of the verb “know,” used to describe information, familiarity, recognition, or understanding possessed at an earlier time. It is one of the most common irregular verb forms in English and appears in both everyday conversation and formal writing. The wording can describe factual knowledge, as in “She knew the schedule,” personal acquaintance, as in “We knew each other for years,” or a deeper understanding, as in “He knew what she meant without needing an explanation.” In some expressions, particularly “knew better,” it conveys a belief that has been challenged by experience or caution. Although its meaning is generally straightforward, the final “w” is silent, so it sounds like “new.”
verbPast tense of know: to have information about something or to be acquainted with a person, place, or subject. It can also mean to understand or recognize something fully.
- To possess information or understanding about something.
- To be familiar or acquainted with a person, place, experience, or subject.
- To recognize or identify something from previous experience or knowledge.
- To understand someone’s thoughts, feelings, or intentions.
"She knew that the invitation would arrive the following morning."
"I knew the answer before the speaker reached the final question."
"By then, she knew the neighborhood well enough to find the old bakery without asking for directions."
The word “knew” is the past tense of “know,” but its final “w” is silent in both standard pronunciations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does knew come from?
The form “knew” developed from the Old English verb “cnāwan,” meaning “to know, understand, or recognize.” That verb was inherited from Proto-Germanic *knēaną and ultimately relates to the same Indo-European root found in Latin cognoscere, meaning “to get to know.” English later developed the irregular past tense “knew” alongside the form “known,” while related forms such as “knowledge” and “acknowledge” preserve the same semantic heritage.
Related word forms
How knew is actually used
In informal English, “knew” can be followed by a clause with “that,” such as “I knew that he was right.” In phrases such as “knew better,” it expresses judgment or second thoughts: “I knew better than to argue.”
Easily confused with knew
“Knew” is the past tense of “know” and is pronounced /nuː/, while “new” means recently made or not previously known.