understand

un·der·stand

verb \ˌən-dər-ˈstand\

un·der·stood\-ˈstu̇d\un·der·stand·ing

Definition of UNDERSTAND

transitive verb

1

a : to grasp the meaning of <understand Russian> b : to grasp the reasonableness of <his behavior is hard to understand> c : to have thorough or technical acquaintance with or expertness in the practice of <understand finance> d : to be thoroughly familiar with the character and propensities of <understands children>

2

: to accept as a fact or truth or regard as plausible without utter certainty <we understand that he is returning from abroad>

3

: to interpret in one of a number of possible ways

4

: to supply in thought as though expressed <“to be married” is commonly understood after the word engaged>

intransitive verb

1

: to have understanding : have the power of comprehension

2

: to achieve a grasp of the nature, significance, or explanation of something

3

: to believe or infer something to be the case

4

: to show a sympathetic or tolerant attitude toward something

— un·der·stand·abil·i·ty \-ˌstan-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— un·der·stand·able \-ˈstan-də-bəl\ adjective

Examples of UNDERSTAND

1. I can't understand a word you're saying.
2. I don't understand these directions.
3. I want you to stay away from her. Do you understand?
4. I don't understand how this is supposed to work.
5. He doesn't really understand the situation.
6. You should read the book in order to understand more about the subject.
7. I can't understand why she would do such a thing.
8. She's beginning to understand what's going on.
9. You have to understand that I had no other choice.
10. At first we didn't get along, but I think we understand each other now.

Origin of UNDERSTAND

Middle English, from Old English understandan, from under + standan to stand

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to UNDERSTAND

Synonyms: conclude, decide, deduce, derive, extrapolate, gather, judge, make out, reason, infer

Antonyms: miss

Related Words: assume, suppose; conjecture, guess, speculate, surmise; construe, interpret, read; contemplate, philosophize, rationalize, think; ascertain, dope (out), find out

Near Antonyms: misapprehend, misconceive, misinterpret, misknow, misperceive, misunderstand

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of UNDERSTAND

understand, comprehend, appreciate mean to have a clear or complete idea of. understand and comprehend are very often interchangeable. understand may, however, stress the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp of something <orders that were fully understood and promptly obeyed>. comprehend may stress the process of coming to grips with something intellectually <I have trouble comprehending your reasons for doing this>. appreciate implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value or nature <failed to appreciate the risks involved>.

Rhymes with UNDERSTAND

ampersand, baby grand, bear a hand, beforehand, behindhand, bellyband, belly-land, borderland, bottomland, cap in hand, concert grand, confirmand, contraband, countermand, Damavand, Dixieland, ductless gland, eldest hand, fairyland, fatherland, force one's hand, forestland, four-in-hand, garage band, gastric gland, Gelderland, graduand, hand in hand, hand-to-hand, hand to hand, helping hand, high command, hinterland, Holy Land, Krugerrand, lotusland, meadowland, minute hand, motherland, Nagaland, narrowband, no-man's-land, on demand, one-man band, one-night stand, operand, ordinand, out of hand, overhand, overland, parlor grand, pastureland, promised land, prostate gland, public land, radicand, reprimand, Rio Grande, rubber band, running hand, saraband, secondhand, Swaziland, tableland, taxi stand, timberland, Togoland, try one's hand, underhand, undermanned, wonderland, Zululand