Words / B1

NOHH-ow/ˈnəʊ haʊ/

Know-how is practical skill and knowledge of how to do something (uncountable). Knowledge is wider and more academic; skill is a close twin. Hyphen. Do not write “knowhows” or “a know-how” in careful exam prose. Labs: lacked the know-how to run a scanner.

Meaning

Practical skill and knowledge of how to do something (uncountable).

Examples

• “The lab lacked the know-how to run the new scanner.”
• “Apprentices bring know-how from the shop floor into the classroom.”

Good to know

Uncountable: know-how. Wider: knowledge. Close: skill. Hyphen. Not “know-hows”. Workplace / technical training.

Near in meaning

skill

New