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 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

“They understood that America is beautiful because it is open and uncrowded. Not so long ago, environmentalists opposed mass immigration. They knew what the costs were. They still know. But they don’t care.”

From Salon

Once upon a time, we all understood this.

From Salon

It was understood the flight was paid for by his own funds, not through his foundation.

From BBC

Baldwin understood, as I later would.

From Los Angeles Times

And I don’t think I truly understood how much they got sanded down in my own life until I worked on this show.”

From Los Angeles Times