understand

verb un·der·stand \ ˌən-dər-ˈstand \

Updated on: 25 Apr 2018

Definition of understand

understood play \ˌən-dər-ˈstu̇d\; understanding

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

—

understandability

play \ˌən-dər-ˌstan-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

understandable

play \ˌən-dər-ˈstan-də-bəl\ adjective

See understand defined for English-language learners

See understand defined for kids

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 of understand from the Web

Few voters understand the nuances associated with calculating discounts from the wholesaler acquisition cost.

— david beier, STAT, "On drug pricing, Trump could rely on bluster and bad ideas. But there’s a better alternative," 20 Apr. 2018
The study authors say helping consumers understand the difference between produce that is just bruised versus produce that has truly spoiled is important to reduce food waste.

— CBS News, "Americans waste nearly a pound of food each per day, study finds," 18 Apr. 2018
Someone like me, someone who understands your value, has to make you into a polished masterpiece.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "A Flawless Silence," 17 Apr. 2018
The other piece of Intel’s Threat Detection Technology is what Intel calls Advanced Platform Telemetry, which combines machine learning with platform telemetry to better understand what threats are meaningful and need to be acted upon.

— mark hachman, PCWorld, "Intel offloads virus scanning to the GPU for better battery life and performance," 17 Apr. 2018
Those who attend will better understand the similarities and differences between generic and brand name drugs, including pricing.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Edition," 17 Apr. 2018
Dax will do best in a home with older children or adults only who can understand his timid nature.

— idahostatesman, "Ada County Pet of the Week: Dax | Idaho Statesman," 16 Apr. 2018
And for actor and activist Terry Crews, women need to understand where a guy is all-too-often coming from.

— vincent boucher, The Hollywood Reporter, "Terry Crews Calls Out "Cult" of Masculinity in Discussion About #MeToo, Consent," 16 Apr. 2018
The key in writing a strong resume is painting the right picture by clearly stating your skills, attributes and abilities that will help an employer understand your contributions and see you as a future employee.

— kimberly thompson, Houston Chronicle, "Career Rescue: Are you a pro or newbie when it comes to resumes?," 15 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'understand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of understand

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

understand Synonyms

Phrases

pick up on;

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

UNDERSTAND Defined for English Language Learners

understand

verb

Definition of understand for English Language Learners

: to know the meaning of (something, such as the words that someone is saying or a language)
: to know how (something) works or happens
: to know how (someone) thinks, feels, or behaves