fathom
Americannoun
plural
fathoms,plural
fathomverb (used with object)
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to measure the depth of by means of a sounding line; sound.
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to penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand.
to fathom someone's motives.
noun
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a unit of length equal to six feet (1.829 metres), used to measure depths of water
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mining a unit of volume usually equal to six cubic feet, used in measuring ore bodies
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forestry a unit of volume equal to six cubic feet, used for measuring timber
verb
-
to measure the depth of, esp with a sounding line; sound
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to penetrate (a mystery, problem, etc); discover the meaning of
Other Word Forms
- fathomable adjective
- fathomer noun
- unfathomable adjective
- unfathomed adjective
Etymology
Origin of fathom
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 )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Australians,” Rowland-Smith said, “they can’t fathom kids signing for that much money.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026
Former Cardinals team-mate JJ Watt said: "Can't even begin to fathom or process this. There's just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in peace Rondale."
From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026
"Can't even begin to fathom or process this," wrote Watt.
From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026
She couldn’t fathom why Utah hadn’t put up more of a fight to keep Sundance in town as it seemed to her that it had been a fiscal boon.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2026
The children who hounded us daily for money and food weren’t dim-witted beggars; they were accustomed to the distribution of excess, and couldn’t fathom why we held ourselves apart.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
