fathom

[ fath-uhm ]

noun

, plural fath·oms, (especially collectively) fath·om.

1. a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters): used chiefly in nautical measurements. : fath

verb (used with object)

1. to measure the depth of by means of a sounding line; sound.
2. to penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand:

   to fathom someone's motives.

fathom

/ ˈfæðəm /

noun

1. a unit of length equal to six feet (1.829 metres), used to measure depths of water
2. mining a unit of volume usually equal to six cubic feet, used in measuring ore bodies
3. forestry a unit of volume equal to six cubic feet, used for measuring timber

verb

1. to measure the depth of, esp with a sounding line; sound
2. to penetrate (a mystery, problem, etc); discover the meaning of

Derived Forms

• ˈfathomer, noun
• ˈfathomable, adjective

Other Words From

• fathom·a·ble adjective
• fathom·er noun
• un·fathom·a·ble adjective
• un·fathomed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fathom¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English fathme, Old English fæthm “span of outstretched arms”; cognate with German Faden “six-foot measure,” Old Norse fathmr; akin to Latin patēre “to stand open” ( patent )

Word History and Origins

Origin of fathom¹

Old English fæthm ; related to Old Frisian fethem outstretched arms, Old Norse fathmr embrace, Old High German fadum cubit, Latin patēre to gape

Example Sentences

Prior to 3BLACKDOT, Frey was the founder and CEO of Full Fathom Five, a publishing company that has collaborated with game developers such as Glu Mobile and Niantic, where he helped develop IP alongside games.

From Digiday

Perhaps, instead, they had reached a desperation we can't quite fathom.

From The Daily Beast

The celebrity of Li is hard to fathom in terms that American fans—tennis savvy or not—can fully comprehend.

From The Daily Beast

As a powerful woman she presents problems for men trying to fathom her.

From The Daily Beast

Now, my daughter is older and I can barely fathom that she is a teenager.

From The Daily Beast

Now another monologue, also spoken by a woman who has experienced more than most can fathom, has left me entranced and devastated.

From The Daily Beast

There were to be many things yet which Felipe could not fathom in this lovely, sorrowing, sunny sister of his.

From Project Gutenberg

This is some passing whim of your wife, due to some cause or causes which you and I needn't try to fathom.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no protection there for the ships against submarines except Enos harbour and Enos is only one fathom deep.

From Project Gutenberg

From the portress Cibot to the Marquise d'Espard, not one of his women has an evil thought that he does not fathom.

From Project Gutenberg

Maud Barrington's eyes were grateful, but there was something that Winston could not fathom behind her smile.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appreciate
• comprehend
• divine
• figure out
• grasp
• penetrate
• pinpoint
• plumb
• unravel