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View synonyms for

understand

[ uhn-der-stand ]

verb (used with object)

understood, understanding.
  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)

understood, understanding.
  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

/ ˌʌԻəˈæԻ /

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌܲԻˈٲԻ岹, adjective
  • ˌܲԻˈٲԻ岹, adverb
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Other yvlog Forms

  • u··ٲԻ verb preunderstood preunderstanding
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of understand1

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

Origin of understand1

Old English understandan; related to Old Frisian understonda, Middle High German ܲԻ step under; see under , stand
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Idioms and Phrases

see give to understand .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“One of my main goals for this exhibit is to educate the public, maybe people who don’t understand punk rock,” Collard said.

From

She said the Falklands was working with the UK government to understand how the US tariff could be reduced or removed.

From

The BBC understands Ms Perry KC stands by her report and how it was compiled.

From

Mexico almost certainly understands that Trump is readying a military incursion of some kind, ostensibly to "take out" the drug cartels.

From

It is understood the conversations are likely to be with European and Commonwealth leaders, with no call to President Trump currently anticipated.

From

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When To Use

What are other ways to say understand?

To understand something is to be thoroughly familiar with it, or to apprehend clearly its character, nature, or subtleties. How is understand different from know and comprehend? Find out on .

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.

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