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understand
[uhn-der-stand]
verb (used with object)
to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend.
to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question.
to be thoroughly familiar with; apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of.
to understand a trade.
to assign a meaning to; interpret.
He understood her suggestion as a complaint.
to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of.
He does not understand responsibility.
to regard as firmly communicated; take as agreed or settled.
I understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days.
to learn or hear.
I understand that you are going out of town.
to accept as true; believe.
I understand that you are trying to be truthful, but you are wrong.
to construe in a particular way.
You are to understand the phrase literally.
to supply mentally (something that is not expressed).
verb (used without object)
to perceive what is meant; grasp the information conveyed.
She told them about it in simple words, hoping they would understand.
to accept tolerantly or sympathetically.
If you can't do it, I'll understand.
to have knowledge or background, as on a particular subject.
He understands about boats.
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
(may take a clause as object) to know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
I understand you
I understand what you mean
(may take a clause as object) to realize or grasp (something)
he understands your position
(tr; may take a clause as object) to assume, infer, or believe
I understand you are thinking of marrying
(tr) to know how to translate or read
can you understand Spanish?
(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
(tr) to be sympathetic to or compatible with
we understand each other
Other Word Forms
- preunderstand verb
- understandable adjective
- understandably adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of understand1
Word History and Origins
Origin of understand1
Idioms and Phrases
Example Sentences
For over a century, Einstein's general theory of relativity has been the foundation of our understanding of space and time.
Beyond updating the numbers, the study redefines how scientists understand carbon movement in the Southern Ocean.
We understand officials have been looking at Denmark's tighter rules on family reunion and restricting most refugees to a temporary stay in the country.
Kaddour-Cherif is understood to have entered the UK legally on a visitor's visa in 2019, but overstayed that and was in the initial stages of the deportation process.
The organisation also wants the records to help inform Kenya's school curriculum, so that new generations come to understand the outsized, yet overlooked role Africans played in the world wars.
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Related Words
When To Use
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.
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