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

She added it was “impossible to fathom” why he had agreed to drive the four boys in his car to the area.

From BBC

White people couldn’t fathom a Black man being superior to a white man in boxing.

From Salon

Mainly, what I don’t fully fathom is why any American could vote for an uncivil creep like Donald Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

“As these elections draw closer, we cannot possibly fathom a candidate not addressing the economic crisis right now,” she said.

From BBC

Victor Williams, a neighborhood resident who was visiting the park with friends, said he can’t fathom all the destructive behavior, the trashing of the grounds and the wide-open drug activity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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