knowingly

B2 Topic:Abstract Ideas
US /ˈnoʊɪŋli/
adv Freq #19444

Meanings

  1. 1
    adv

    In a way that shows you are fully aware of what you are doing; on purpose.

    Did you knowingly betray our confidence?

  2. 2
    adv

    In a way that shows you understand a secret or hidden meaning.

    She smiled knowingly, but kept the secret.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adv · in a way that shows you are... wittinglyconsciously
Word family
Related forms knowledgeably

Etymology

From Middle English knawyngly, knowyngly. By surface analysis, knowing + -ly.

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Topics

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