understand

[ uhn-der-stand ]

/ ˌʌn dərˈstænd /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR understand 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.

Origin of understand

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

SYNONYMS FOR understand

1 See know¹.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR understand ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM understand

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

Words nearby understand

undersoil, undersparred, underspend, underspin, understaffed, understand, understandable, understanding, understate, understated, understatement

Example sentences from the Web for understand

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
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
I think you need to understand the history to understand where you are at a given moment.

Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society |Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch |January 4, 2015 |DAILY BEAST

You know, Ward, I think I understand my father more every day.

The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile |Robert Ward |January 3, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
As a military man he is said to be well informed, and to understand well the principles of his profession.

The Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Volume I (of 2) |Hazard Stevens
The Bishop did not understand Latin so offered up a prayer for he and she mules.

The Rise of the Mediaeval Church |Alexander Clarence Flick
As usual she seemed to read my thoughts and understand them.

Kent Knowles: Quahaug |Joseph C. Lincoln
That is the reason why the artist cannot teach it, why the pupil cannot learn it, and why the æsthetic critic can understand it.

Intentions |Oscar Wilde
Had a war over here not long ago, I understand—somethin' like ten or fifteen years ago.

Graustark |George Barr McCutcheon

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 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

Derived forms of understand

understandable, adjective understandably, adverb

Word Origin for understand

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

Idioms and Phrases with understand

understand

see give to understand.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

understand

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

verb (used without object), un·der·stood, un·der·stand·ing.

Origin of understand

SYNONYMS FOR understand

OTHER WORDS FROM understand

Words nearby understand

Example sentences from the Web for understand

British Dictionary definitions for understand

verb -stands, -standing or -stood

Derived forms of understand

Word Origin for understand

Idioms and Phrases with understand

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

understand

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

verb (used without object), un·der·stood, un·der·stand·ing.

Origin of understand

SYNONYMS FOR understand

OTHER WORDS FROM understand

Words nearby understand

Words related to understand

Example sentences from the Web for understand

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verb -stands, -standing or -stood

Derived forms of understand

Word Origin for understand

Idioms and Phrases with understand

British Dictionary definitions for understand