Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

know-how

/ˈnoʊ.haʊ/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 5.86 in modern English

Syllables: know-how
IPA: /ˈnoʊ.haʊ/

20

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The knowledge and skill to be able to (do something correctly).

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Marlo has the know-how to fix your computer."
"Today this situation has — at least in theory — been reversed in a startling way because the main source of wealth is no longer natural resources but scientific knowledge and technological know-how that has been accumulated incrementally since the advent of civilization."
"American innovators — with their world-class strengths in product design, marketing and finance — may have a historic opportunity to convert the scientific know-how from abroad into market gains and profits. Mr. Hill views the transition to “the postscientific society” as an unrecognized bonus for American creators of new products and services."

Etymology

Deverbal from know how. American English, 1838.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈnoʊ.haʊ/
British English: /ˈnəʊ.haʊ/

Usage

Uncountable

Inflected Forms

knowhow (alternative)

Phrases

snow-how

Synonyms

expertise savoir-faire

Homonyms

nohow

Rhymes With

snow-how

Questions

How do you pronounce know-how?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈnoʊ.haʊ/.
What does know-how mean?: The knowledge and skill to be able to (do something correctly).
Where does know-how come from?: Deverbal from know how. American English, 1838.

How to pronounce know-how

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “know-how”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈnoʊ.haʊ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “know-how”.
Repeat and practice — Say “know-how” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.