fathom

American  

[fath-uhm] / ˈfæð əm /

noun

plural

fathoms,

plural

fathom

1. a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters): used chiefly in nautical measurements. fath

---

verb (used with object)

1. to measure the depth of by means of a sounding line; sound.

2. to penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand.

   to fathom someone's motives.

fathom British  

/ ˈfæðəm /

noun

1. a unit of length equal to six feet (1.829 metres), used to measure depths of water

2. mining a unit of volume usually equal to six cubic feet, used in measuring ore bodies

3. forestry a unit of volume equal to six cubic feet, used for measuring timber

---

verb

1. to measure the depth of, esp with a sounding line; sound

2. to penetrate (a mystery, problem, etc); discover the meaning of

Other Word Forms

• fathomable adjective
• fathomer noun
• unfathomable adjective
• unfathomed adjective

Etymology

Origin of fathom

First recorded before 900; Middle English fathme, Old English fæthm “span of outstretched arms”; cognate with German Faden “six-foot measure,” Old Norse fathmr; akin to Latin patēre “to stand open” ( patent )

Example Sentences

The show’s creators couldn’t fathom mobile devices, but they were spot-on about video calling.

From The Wall Street Journal

Although smoke-filled pubs are hard to fathom for younger Scots, Alexandra and Andrew say they would not necessarily be opposed to indoor smoking areas in areas that do not serve food.

From BBC

Many nights I lay awake in the shower of straw dust from the mattress above, trying to fathom the marvel of supply lavished upon us.

From Literature

“Though, Lloyd, why you can’t spell expectorate when it’s spelled just like it sounds, I cannot fathom.”

From Literature

In some strange way that he couldn’t begin to fathom, he recognized the high, wavering sounds.

From Literature

Related Words

• appreciate
• comprehend
• divine
• figure out
• grasp
• penetrate
• pinpoint
• plumb
• unravel