fathom

[fath-uhm]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fathom¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of fathom¹

Old English fæthm ; related to Old Frisian fethem outstretched arms, Old Norse fathmr embrace, Old High German fadum cubit, Latin patēre to gape

Example Sentences

"The scale of what had gone on – we would never even begin to fathom what had happened," Mr Philip's son, Liam, told the BBC.

From BBC

Why it is so hard for away teams to prosper at alternate shot is hard to fathom.

From BBC

It’s hard to fathom that any lawyer would put their name to it.

From Salon

Where this has led could be fathomed at the Ojai Festival in June.

From Los Angeles Times

"There was this silence, people were just trying to fathom what had just happened," remembers BBC Radio Newcastle host Simon Pryde, who was in the crowd.

From BBC

Related Words

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