understand

[ uhn-der-stand ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·stood, un·der·stand·ing.

1. to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend:

   to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question.

2. to be thoroughly familiar with; apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of:

   to understand a trade.

3. to assign a meaning to; interpret:

   He understood her suggestion as a complaint.

4. to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of:

   He does not understand responsibility.

5. to regard as firmly communicated; take as agreed or settled:

   I understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days.

6. to learn or hear:

   I understand that you are going out of town.

7. to accept as true; believe:

   I understand that you are trying to be truthful, but you are wrong.

8. to construe in a particular way:

   You are to understand the phrase literally.

9. to supply mentally (something that is not expressed).

verb (used without object)

, un·der·stood, un·der·stand·ing.

1. to perceive what is meant; grasp the information conveyed:

   She told them about it in simple words, hoping they would understand.

2. to accept tolerantly or sympathetically:

   If you can't do it, I'll understand.

3. to have knowledge or background, as on a particular subject:

   He understands about boats.

4. 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.

understand

/ ˌʌndəˈstænd /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

   I understand you

   I understand what you mean

2. may take a clause as object to realize or grasp (something)

   he understands your position

3. tr; may take a clause as object to assume, infer, or believe

   I understand you are thinking of marrying

4. tr to know how to translate or read

   can you understand Spanish?

5. 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

6. tr to be sympathetic to or compatible with

   we understand each other

Derived Forms

• ˌunderˈstandable, adjective
• ˌunderˈstandably, adverb

Other Words From

• preun·der·stand verb preunderstood preunderstanding

Word History and Origins

Origin of understand¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of understand¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see give to understand .

Example Sentences

“We’ve invested more than 20 years in understanding the natural history of this fascinating species of nudibranch. Our discovery is a new piece of the puzzle that can help better understand the largest habitat on Earth.”

From Los Angeles Times

The court asserted that future plaintiffs should show specific examples when the state exceptions were too vague to understand, but as a general matter, the Idaho majority seemed to think the state’s law was perfectly clear.

From Slate

We also understand the pain resulting from a refusal to bring dark history into the light.

From Salon

He said scientists had struggled to understand how and when the unique brains and remarkable intelligence of birds evolved.

From BBC

But what these angry pundits truly reveal is how little they understand about how science works.

From Slate

Related Words

• apprehend
• catch
• comprehend
• fathom
• figure out
• follow
• get
• grasp
• know
• perceive
• register
• savvy
• sense