Definition of UNDERSTAND

understand

Verb

  • know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
    • "She did not understand her husband"
    • "I understand what she means"
  • perceive (an idea or situation) mentally
    • "I don't understand the idea"
  • make sense of a language
    • "She understands French"
  • believe to be the case
    • "I understand you have no previous experience?"
  • be understanding of
    • "You don't need to explain--I understand!"
  • (of communication or means of communication: words, statements, signs, etc.) To know the meaning of; to parse or have parsed correctly; to comprehend.
  • (of communication or means of communication: words, statements, signs, etc.) To know the meaning of; to parse or have parsed correctly; to comprehend.
  • (generally) To know the meaning of.
  • (of a skill, task, profession, etc.) To be thoroughly familiar with; to be able to undertake properly.
  • To comprehend a fact or principle; to regard or come to regard a belief as such.
  • (of people) To know the intent, motives or character of; (of events) to know the causes of or reasons for.
  • To believe or infer, to think one grasps sufficiently despite potentially incomplete knowledge.
  • To regard as present when not.
  • To stand underneath, to support.

Examples

  • At least four people are understood to have been injured.
  • Can you repeat what you just said? I didn't understand.
  • I understand that company policy says I can't get a refund, but can you make an exception?
  • I've been given to understand that you have a package for me?
  • In the imperative mood, the word “you” is usually understood.
  • One day you say you love me, the next you ignore me—I don't understand you!
  • The students understood the assignment.
  • There's been no formal declaration, but it's understood that a state of war exists between the two countries

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English understanden, from Old English understandan (“to understand”), from Proto-West Germanic *understandan (“to stand between, understand”), from Proto-Germanic *understandaną (“to stand between, understand”), equivalent to Old English under- (“between, inter-”) + standan (“to stand”) (Modern English under- + stand). Cognate with Old Frisian understonda (“to understand, experience, learn”), Old High German understantan (“to understand”), Middle Danish understande (“to understand”). Compare also Saterland Frisian understunda, unnerstounde (“to dare, survey, measure”), Dutch onderstaan (“to undertake, presume”), German unterstehen (“to be subordinate”).

Antonyms

misunderstand

Scrabble Score: 12

understand: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
understand: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
understand: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

understand: valid Words With Friends Word