Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

know better

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.60 in modern English

Syllables: know -bet-ter
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To recognize that a statement or belief is false or doubtful.

verb

To understand that certain behavior is wrongful, futile, or inappropriate.

Example Sentences

"'Do you think, sir,' said Mr Willet, […] 'do you think, sir, that I'm a born fool?' 'No, no, Johnny,' returned Solomon, looking round upon the little circle of which he formed a part: 'We all know better than that.'"
""Kapoor Brothers told us they had no books or records, but we knew better and were able to search and find them.""
""All that happened when he was eight; he's older now and knows better.""
"[B]oth sides know better than to expect that U.S. special envoy Senator George Mitchell's shuttling between Jerusalem and Ramallah will be able to bridge the chasm between their demands."

Inflected Forms

knows better (present, singular) knowing better (participle, present) knew better (past) known better (participle, past)

Phrases

think better of

Frequently Paired Words

think better of

Synonyms

know any better

Questions

What does know better mean?: To recognize that a statement or belief is false or doubtful.

How to pronounce know better

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “know better”.
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