understood

[uhn-der-stood]

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of understand.

adjective

1. agreed upon; known in advance; assented to.

   It is the understood policy of this establishment to limit credit.

2. implied but not stated; left unexpressed.

   The understood meaning of a danger sign is “Do not approach.”

understood

/ ˌʌndəˈstʊd /

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of understand

adjective

1. implied or inferred

2. taken for granted; assumed

Other Word Forms

• half-understood adjective
• nonunderstood adjective
• self-understood adjective
• well-understood adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of understood¹

First recorded in 1600–10, for the adjective

Example Sentences

"Lines on maps started to symbolize the limits of political sovereignties rather than the boundless divine promises. This transformed the way that the Bible's descriptions of geographical space were understood."

Read more on Science Daily

The detailed molecular mechanisms that keep this response in check after UV damage, however, are still not fully understood.

Read more on Science Daily

A spokesperson for the defendant claimed he had not fully understood the contents of the deportation order because he had not had an interpreter in court in 2020 and 2022.

Read more on BBC

British Airways and Air India are understood not to be heavily impacted by the issue.

Read more on BBC

Stokes said he understood the blowback, but defended the move with England instead scheduling extra training sessions in Brisbane.

Read more on Barron's