understand

[ uhn-der-stand ]

/ ˌʌn dərˈstænd /

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See synonyms for: understand / understanding / understood on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), un·der·stood, un·der·stand·ing.

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), un·der·stood, un·der·stand·ing.

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.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of understand

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

OTHER WORDS FROM understand

pre·un·der·stand, verb, pre·un·der·stood, pre·un·der·stand·ing.

Words nearby understand

under someone's wing, undersparred, underspend, underspin, understaffed, understand, understandable, understanding, understate, understated, understatement

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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.

How to use understand in a sentence

This means they will make an effort to understand the complex and nuanced healthcare landscape and all the stakeholders in it.
Does early-stage health tech need more ‘patient’ capital?|Steve O'Hear|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
Let’s focus on hospitalizations for a moment to understand why.
The new Covid-19 case surge in Europe, explained|Julia Belluz|September 17, 2020|Vox
By understanding these aspects, you can create relevant marketing content that will resonate with your audience on the platform.
What you must know about TikTok for business|Connie Benton|September 17, 2020|Search Engine Watch
You can understand if you’re in Game 6, and someone’s going home, you better be right on the play.
Don’t Blame The Refs For All Of These Replay Reviews|Jared Dubin|September 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Builtvisible creates resources and sustains an active blog to help their clients and potential clients understand what services they need.
How would an SEO agency be built today? Part 2: Current business model(s)|Sponsored Content: SEOmonitor|September 16, 2020|Search Engine Land
He appeared to understand however belatedly that he was in the presence of another kind of greatness.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Carla points out how meaningful it can be to have people in your life who simply understand what you're going through.
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone|Samantha Levine|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I understand that this is human trafficking, but I know that my people have no other option.
Ghost Ships of the Mediterranean|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Is that a utilitarian approach—that you need to understand how institutions have changed to understand the way they are?
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If you look at the history, you can really understand why the parties are so divided and why the public is so split.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Now first we shall want our pupil to understand, speak, read and write the mother tongue well.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
He spoke clearly and slowly, well knowing that some among the natives would understand him.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Why he did that, instead of walking around on the shore, Jimmy Rabbit couldn't understand.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
"Now I have a larger place for you," the boy said, speaking just as though Squinty could understand him.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
She knew that she alone of all human beings was gifted with the power to understand and fully sympathize with him.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for understand

understand

/ (ˌʌndəˈstænd) /

verb -stands, -standing or -stood

(may take a clause as object) to know and comprehend the nature or meaning ofI 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 believeI understand you are thinking of marrying

(tr) to know how to translate or readcan you understand Spanish?

(tr; may take a clause as object; often passive) to accept as a condition or provisoit is understood that children must be kept quiet

(tr) to be sympathetic to or compatible withwe understand each other

Derived forms of understand

understandable, adjectiveunderstandably, adverb

Word Origin for understand

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with understand

understand

see give to understand.

understand

Origin of understand

OTHER WORDS FROM understand

Words nearby understand

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say understand?

Words related to understand

How to use understand in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for understand

Derived forms of understand

Word Origin for understand

Other Idioms and Phrases with understand