understand
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).
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.
Origin of understand
1Other words from understand
- pre·un·der·stand, verb, pre·un·der·stood, pre·un·der·stand·ing.
Words Nearby understand
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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 | TechCrunchLet’s focus on hospitalizations for a moment to understand why.
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 WatchYou 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 | FiveThirtyEightBuiltvisible 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.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTI understand that this is human trafficking, but I know that my people have no other option.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTIf 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 | THE DAILY BEASTNow first we shall want our pupil to understand, speak, read and write the mother tongue well.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation | H. G. (Herbert George) WellsHe spoke clearly and slowly, well knowing that some among the natives would understand him.
The Red Year | Louis TracyWhy 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 BarnumShe 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
/ (ˌʌndəˈstænd) /
(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
Origin of understand
1Derived forms of understand
- understandable, adjective
- understandably, adverb
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
see give to understand.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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