understand

verb

un·​der·​stand ˌən-dər-ˈstand 

understood ˌən-dər-ˈstu̇d  ; understanding

transitive verb

1

a

: to grasp the meaning of

understand Russian

I don't understand these directions.

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

e

: to feel sympathy for someone's feelings or situation

I've been in your situation, so I understand what you're going through.

2

: to accept as a fact or truth or regard as plausible without utter certainty

We understand that he is returning from abroad.

You have to understand that I had no choice.

3

: to interpret in one of a number of possible ways

I understood the response to be an acceptance of the offer.

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

a child too young to understand

2

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

He told me what to do and I think I understand.

3

: to believe or infer something to be the case

"Are they coming?" "That's what I understand."

4

: to show a sympathetic or tolerant attitude toward something

Don't worry about being late. We understand.

understandability

ˌən-dər-ˌstan-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

understandable

ˌən-dər-ˈstan-də-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of understand

• know
• comprehend

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of understand in a Sentence

I can't understand a word you're saying.

I don't understand these directions.

I want you to stay away from her. Do you understand?

I don't understand how this is supposed to work.

He doesn't really understand the situation.

You should read the book in order to understand more about the subject.

I can't understand why she would do such a thing.

She's beginning to understand what's going on.

You have to understand that I had no other choice.

At first we didn't get along, but I think we understand each other now.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a staff report describing the proposal, city officials said the user fees would simply allow the city to recover its costs for enforcing wage laws and helping businesses understand those laws and how to comply with them. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026

Expressry experienced such a traffic boom in the past couple of months that the store released a statement asking customers to be understanding about long wait times. — Hana Tilksew, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Both motifs also appear in Shakespeare’s play, but were not understood clearly until the painting, like a missing puzzle piece, helped connect the dots. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026

It's understood that 50 percent of digestion begins in the mouth, so guests are encouraged to chew for much longer than comes naturally. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing understand

• fail to see/understand
• give (someone) to understand

Rhymes for understand

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland

Kids Definition

understand

verb

un·​der·​stand ˌən-dər-ˈstand 

understood -ˈstu̇d  ; understanding

1

a

: to get the meaning of : comprehend

b

: to have thorough acquaintance with

understand the arts

2

: to have reason to believe : gather, infer

I understand that they will arrive today

3

: to take as meaning something not openly made known : interpret, explain

understand the letter to be a refusal

4

: to have a sympathetic attitude

my cousin doesn't understand about these things

5

: to supply in thought as if expressed

"to be married" is commonly understood after the word "engaged"

understandable

-ˈstan-də-bəl 

adjective

understandably

-blē

adverb