Definition of: knowing

(nō′ing) adjective
1. Perceptive; astute; shrewd; also, possessing sly, covert, or secret knowledge: a knowing look.
2. Conscious; intentional.
3. Having knowledge or information.
—know′ing·ness noun Synonyms: acute, astute, clever, cunning, discerning, intelligent, keen, penetrating, sagacious, sharp, shrewd. A knowing look, air, etc., indicates the possession of reserved knowledge which the person could impart if he chose. Knowing has often a slightly invidious sense. We speak of a knowing rascal, meaning cunning or shrewd within a narrow range, but a knowing child has more knowledge than would be looked for at his years, perhaps more than is quite desirable, although to speak of a child as intelligent is altogether complimentary. See ASTUTE, CLEVER, INTELLIGENT, WISE². Antonyms: dull, gullible, senseless, silly, simple, stolid, stupid, undiscerning, unintelligent.