understand

verb un·der·stand \ ˌən-dər-ˈstand \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: understand in a Sentence

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

From the beginning, in fact, Berners-Lee understood how the epic power of the Web would radically transform governments, businesses, societies.

— krista stevens, Longreads, "Accountability for the Algorithms," 13 July 2018
By looking at their energy levels, researchers could understand the fusion process that creates the neutrinos and generates the sun's energy.

— author: sarah kaplan, Anchorage Daily News, "In a cosmic first, scientists detect ‘ghost particles’ from a distant galaxy," 12 July 2018
Iglesias understands the business part of the game.

— bobby nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Appearing in trade rumors, closer Raisel Iglesias hopes to remain with Cincinnati Reds," 11 July 2018
It was designed partly to help shareholders better understand and challenge compensation practices at major companies.

— esther fung, WSJ, "REITs’ CEO-Employee Pay Gap Varies Greatly," 10 July 2018
On the tour of the marine lab, Prince Albert inspected a coral blanching project that could help scientists understand the strain placed on coral in warming tropical waters.

— amelia nierenberg, BostonGlobe.com, "Royalty comes to Woods Hole on a mission to protect world’s oceans," 9 July 2018
Black activists understood that tens of thousands of Native Americans had been forcibly relocated from the southeastern U.S., sent west to Indian Territory.

— martha s. jones, Time, "How the 14th Amendment's Promise of Birthright Citizenship Redefined America," 9 July 2018
Zero also helps us understand its antithesis, infinity, in all of its extreme weirdness.

— brian resnick, Vox, "The mind-bendy weirdness of the number zero, explained," 5 July 2018
While others simple didn’t understand why no one was treating themselves to a refreshing beverage.

— megan mccluskey, Time, "People Can't Figure Out Why Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Need All These Water Bottles," 11 July 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