understand

[uhn-der-stand]

verb (used with object)

understood, understanding 

1. to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend.

   to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question.

2. to be thoroughly familiar with; apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of.

   to understand a trade.

3. to assign a meaning to; interpret.

   He understood her suggestion as a complaint.

4. to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of.

   He does not understand responsibility.

5. to regard as firmly communicated; take as agreed or settled.

   I understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days.

6. to learn or hear.

   I understand that you are going out of town.

7. to accept as true; believe.

   I understand that you are trying to be truthful, but you are wrong.

8. to construe in a particular way.

   You are to understand the phrase literally.

9. to supply mentally (something that is not expressed).

verb (used without object)

understood, understanding 

1. to perceive what is meant; grasp the information conveyed.

   She told them about it in simple words, hoping they would understand.

2. to accept tolerantly or sympathetically.

   If you can't do it, I'll understand.

3. to have knowledge or background, as on a particular subject.

   He understands about boats.

4. to have a systematic interpretation or rationale, as in a field or area of knowledge.

   He can repeat every rule in the book, but he just doesn't understand.

understand

/ ˌʌndəˈstænd /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

   I understand you

   I understand what you mean

2. (may take a clause as object) to realize or grasp (something)

   he understands your position

3. (tr; may take a clause as object) to assume, infer, or believe

   I understand you are thinking of marrying

4. (tr) to know how to translate or read

   can you understand Spanish?

5. (tr; may take a clause as object; often passive) to accept as a condition or proviso

   it is understood that children must be kept quiet

6. (tr) to be sympathetic to or compatible with

   we understand each other

Other Word Forms

• understandable adjective
• understandably adverb
• preunderstand verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of understand¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English understanden, understonden, Old English understondan; cognate with Dutch onderstaan. See under-, stand

Word History and Origins

Origin of understand¹

Old English understandan; related to Old Frisian understonda, Middle High German understān step under; see _under , _stand

Idioms and Phrases

see give to understand.

Example Sentences

"I'm really glad that there are people who can see our suffering in Palestine and understand the problems we're going through," says Diaa, 23, who did not want to give his full name.

From BBC

“To have a group of guys in it together, and kind of understanding that and being together, being able to have a ton of fun all the time, is really important,” Kershaw said.

From Los Angeles Times

The students used augmented reality scenes, testing the app on the iPad, to understand an object’s position in relation to other objects.

From Los Angeles Times

I recently spoke with Stokes to better understand the ongoing collapse of American democracy and how this reflects a much larger global dynamic.

From Salon

"I'm disappointed, I didn't understand this rule," he said outside the stadium, visibly upset.

From BBC

Related Words

• apprehend 
• catch 
• comprehend 
• fathom 
• figure out 
• follow 
• get 
• grasp 
• know 
• perceive 
• register 
• savvy 
• sense 

When To Use

What are other ways to say understand?

To understand something is to be thoroughly familiar with it, or to apprehend clearly its character, nature, or subtleties. How is understand different from know and comprehend? Find out on Thesaurus.com.