knowed

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "knowed" is a nonstandard past tense of "know." Where standard English uses "knew," many rural speakers naturally say "knowed."

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

Out in the country, you'll still here 'knowed' plenty. I use it myself when I feel like it.

Pronunciation

[NOHd]

Meaning & Usage

- Past tense of know (verb)

Mae:

How’d you catch him fibbin’?

Earl:

I just knowed it.

- Emphatic form with "done" (verb)

Mae:

You didn’t trust him?

Earl:

Nope - I done knowed better.

other spellings: knew, done knowed, already knowed, knowed better, knowed all along, and knowed good and well

★ "Knowed" often shows up with "done" for emphasis: *"I done knowed."* That combo is especially Appalachian/Southern. ★

Origin

An older English past form of "know" that faded in standard speech but survived in Appalachian and Southern dialects. The structure echoes other preserved forms like "holp" (helped).

Notes

Still widely heard in rural Southern and Appalachian speech. Considered "nonstandard" in school grammar, but natural and common in everyday talk.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "nohd." Quick and clipped - often said with emphasis: "I done knowed that."

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Common Questions

Is "knowed" wrong grammar?

In standard English, yes - but in dialect it’s a natural survival of older forms.

Do people still say "knowed" today?

Absolutely - it’s common in rural areas and among older generations.

What’s the difference between "knew" and "knowed"?

Meaning is the same; "knowed" is the dialect form. Sometimes used for extra emphasis.