Spelling.School · How to spell

How to spell know

Know is spelled K-N-O-W. The part people get wrong: a silent K.

What it means: Be cognizant or aware of a fact.

In a sentence: I know how to tie my shoes all by myself. ▶

The part people get wrong

Watch for a silent k.

Not to be confused with: no, a different word.

Same family: knows, knew, known, knowing, knowledge. If you can spell one, the shared part carries to the others.

Where it comes from: Know comes from Old English “cnāwan,” meaning to recognize or understand. The silent “k” at the beginning shows its Germanic roots, where the /k/ sound used to be pronounced.

Try spelling it

You will hear the word and a sentence. Type it and press Enter. Then four more words from the same level, so you know where you stand.

Words like this

threw · yolk · right · its · board · down · would · plane

Everyone has words they always get wrong. Spelling.School finds yours, shows you exactly why you miss them, and uses spaced repetition until you spell them right every time. Five minutes a day. Try five words without signing up.