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. See understand
   the past tense and past participle of understand

adjective

1. implied or inferred
2. taken for granted; assumed

Other Words From

• half-un·der·stood adjective
• nonun·der·stood adjective
• self-under·stood adjective
• well-under·stood adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of understood¹

First recorded in 1600–10, for the adjective

Example Sentences

What it endangers is a narrow conception of Russian power, understood through the eyes of its dictatorial leader.

From The Daily Beast

Most people, however, understood the significance of the photo immediately-- especially those who share my skin.

From The Daily Beast

President Park understood the power of cinema as propaganda.

From The Daily Beast

Earlier in the segment, host Chuck Todd had asked him if he understood and acknowledged that black people have a fear of police.

From The Daily Beast

I answered that I had gone and talked to many members of law enforcement who through their investigations understood these links.

From The Daily Beast

"There is no more war," Brion translated for Ulv, realizing that the Disan had understood nothing of the explanation.

From Project Gutenberg

A similar state had occurred that 'Karnak night' of a long ten days ago, though he had not understood it then.

From Project Gutenberg

No one ever argued with Levison; all understood that this particular phrase was final.

From Project Gutenberg

She now understood nearly all that was said directly to her, though she could not follow general and confused conversation.

From Project Gutenberg

“I understood, Baron, that you had quite made up your mind to retire within a very few weeks,” said David Arden.

From Project Gutenberg