Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/heaven-knows/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [H](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/h/) / heaven knows

# heaven knows

phrase (exclamation and clause: heaven knows; also «God knows», «goodness knows», «who knows»)

«heaven knows» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (mild) nobody knows; I have no idea: «Heaven knows where he is».
2. (emphasis) truly, certainly: «Heaven knows I've tried».

### In the lessons

A polite replacement for «God knows», used to show uncertainty or to stress how true something is; polite, all regions.

### Examples

- Heaven knows what's in that cupboard.
- Heaven knows how she finished so quickly.
- "Where's the cat?" "Heaven knows."
- Heaven knows I've told him a hundred times.
- Heaven knows we need some rain.
- Heaven knows why the bus is late again.
- Heaven knows, she deserves a holiday.
- The answer to the riddle? Heaven knows!

### Note

Trap: two meanings: «nobody knows» or «really». Milder than «God knows». Plain words: no idea; truly.