you know
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
First attested as a filled pause in the early 18th century, as a euphemism in the mid-19th century.[1]
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /juː nəʊ/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ju noʊ/
Audio (Mid-Atlantic US): (file)
Interjection
- (informal) Expression signifying a pause or hesitation.
- 2002 December 15, “Interview with David Beckham”, in Breakfast with Frost, spoken by David Beckham, via BBC:
- I don’t usually get nervous in games and, you know, taking free kicks and penalties but that’s the first time I’ve been that nervous in, in a game, where I have to, I’m in a situation where I’m, you know […]
- 2013, Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Before Midnight (motion picture), spoken by Jesse (Ethan Hawke):
- Once, I remember, I was watching the twins on a trampoline, you know, and they looked so beautiful, and I was happy because they were happy, you know.
- (informal) Expression used to imply meaning, rather than say it, such as when a person is embarrassed.
- A: I heard you want to... do something with me.
B: Do what?
A: You know... umm...
B: Sex?
A: Yeah.
- (informal) Used as a rhetorical question to confirm agreement, knowing or understanding at the end of a statement.
- But I guess that's life, you know?
- I just wasn't into it, you know?
- 1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 198:
- This was already a fresh departure for me. I was not used to get things that way, you know.
- 2024 January 29 [2024 January 26], Tim Lee, Ray Chung, quoting Brendan Kavanagh, “London YouTuber hid in van, received death threats after piano face-off”, in Luisetta Mudie, transl., Radio Free Asia, archived from the original on 29 January 2024:
- "I heard Winnie the Pooh was like garlic to a vampire to the Chinese commies," he said. "Popular arts and music, poetry, dancing and singing is a threat to those in power, and I'm really trying to bring back that rock-and-roll rebellious spirit into music, you know."
- (informal) Used to introduce information.
- You know, he's actually pretty nice.
- 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Engineering, SSV Normandy:
- Tali: You know, there's always a few who go on their Pilgrimages and never return. I always assumed something bad happened to them, but maybe they just wanted a different life.
- 2016, Voice of America, Learning English (public domain), archived from the original on 2017-09-25:
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see you, know.
Alternative forms
Synonyms
- (generic fillers): right, like; er, erm, um
- (confirming attention, understanding, and/or agreement): you see, do you know what I'm saying, you know what I'm saying, right, eh, don't you know
Related terms
Translations
expression signifying a pause or hesitation
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References
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “know (v.)”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
Further reading
- “you know”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
- “you know” in Idioms and phrases, TheFreeDictionary.com, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Farlex, Inc., 2003–2024.
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