Knowledge is information, understanding, and skills that you gain through learning, experience, or study.
From Middle English *knoulege*, based on *know* plus a suffix that turned it into a noun. It ultimately goes back to Old English *cnāwan* and an ancient root meaning to recognize or understand.
The ‘d’ in *knowledge* is a late intruder; it was added because people connected the word to others ending in *-ledge* like *pledge*. So the spelling partly reflects folk guessing, not pure logic.
Access to ‘knowledge’—education, literacy, professional training—has historically been restricted by gender, with women and gender minorities often barred from schools, guilds, and universities. Their expertise was frequently dismissed as informal or ‘domestic’ rather than recognized as knowledge.
Use ‘knowledge’ in ways that value diverse forms of expertise, including those traditionally associated with women’s work and marginalized communities.
["information","understanding","expertise","know-how"]
When discussing knowledge systems, acknowledge how women and gender-diverse people have built and transmitted crucial knowledge, often without formal recognition, and fought for access to education.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.