understand
understand Lexical Profile
understand Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To perceive the intended meaning, significance, or nature of words, a language, a speaker, or a concept.
"The students were able to understand the complex theorem after the professor drew a diagram on the board."
To be sympathetically aware of or tolerant toward another person's feelings, motives, or situation.
"I completely understand why you need to postpone our meeting after such an exhausting week."
To infer, assume, or believe something to be the case based on information received.
"Am I to understand that the board of directors has already approved the new budget?"
To regard a missing word, phrase, or condition as implicitly present or agreed upon without being explicitly stated.
"In imperative sentences such as 'Close the door,' the subject 'you' is grammatically understood."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a stative verb representing a mental state rather than a dynamic action, 'understand' is rarely used in progressive (continuous) tenses in standard English (e.g., say 'I understand the problem' rather than 'I am understanding the problem').
• Rhymes for understand
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'understandan' ('to comprehend, grasp the idea of'), formed from 'under-' (here retaining an older Indo-European sense of 'between' or 'among' rather than 'beneath') + 'standan' ('to stand'), literally meaning 'to stand in the midst of' a matter.