understand

play

verb un·der·stand \ˌən-dər-ˈstand\

Definition of understand

understood

play \ˌən-dər-ˈstu̇d\;

understanding

transitive verb
1a : to grasp the meaning of understand Russianb : to grasp the reasonableness of his behavior is hard to understandc : to have thorough or technical acquaintance with or expertness in the practice of understand financed : 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

During a recent AP visit to his home in Turkey, al-Saoud was constantly on the phone with his commanders back home, who in his absence are trying to understand shifting alliances and battlegrounds.

— Washington Post, "Short of allies, Syria’s rebels are down but not out", 1 June 2017
Because some medications use bromine, understanding the enzymatic reactions that create the toxic compounds could help drug researchers build pharmaceutical ones.

— deborah sullivan brennan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "How sea sponges make toxic flame retardants", 31 May 2017
Effective teachers, though, begin to understand the complexity of their role, and its power, by remembering how complicated their students are.

— rosa inocencio smith, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Daily: Trump and Treaties", 30 May 2017
So maybe Ryan Seacrest just instinctively understands that chit chat with Alabamians begins with asking where their Iron Bowl loyalties lie.

— jeremy henderson, AL.com, "Does Ryan Seacrest have a soft spot for Auburn?", 30 May 2017
Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan understands the predicament.

— paisley dodds, The Seattle Times, "UN Peacekeepers: How a Haiti child sex ring was whitewashed", 26 May 2017
How Rising Temperatures Can Fry the Economy How Rising Temperatures Can Fry the Economy x Share Embed Permalink The physiology of temperature and sleep has been understood for some time.

— eric roston, Bloomberg.com, "Climate Change Is Making It Harder to Sleep", 26 May 2017
Understand that your mother is disappointed and struggling.

— amy dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Woman upsets her mother by getting birth control", 26 May 2017
Mr. Falih said on Thursday that the bloc needed to better understand the impact the 2015 Paris deal on climate change would have on oil demand.

— stanley reed, New York Times, "OPEC, Fighting Market Forces, Extends Production Cuts", 25 May 2017

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

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

play

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

UNDERSTAND Defined for Kids

understand

play

verb un·der·stand \ˌən-dər-ˈstand\

Definition of understand for Students

understood

\-ˈstu̇d\;

understanding

1 : to get the meaning of Do you understand my instructions?
2 : to know thoroughly I understand Spanish. She understands the situation.
3 : to have reason to believe I understand that they will come today.
4 : to take as meaning something not clearly made known I understand the letter to be a refusal.
5 : to have a sympathetic attitude Don't worry, I understand how you feel.
6 : to accept as settled It is understood that I will pay.