First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
understand
verb un·der·stand \ˌən-dər-ˈstand\
: 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
un·der·stood\-ˈstu̇d\un·der·stand·ing
Full Definition of UNDERSTAND
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
— un·der·stand·abil·i·ty \-ˌstan-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— un·der·stand·able \-ˈstan-də-bəl\ adjective
See understand defined for English-language learners
See understand defined for kids
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Origin of UNDERSTAND
Middle English, from Old English understandan, from under + standan to stand
Related to UNDERSTAND
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>.
Rhymes with UNDERSTAND
ampersand, baby grand, bear a hand, beforehand, behindhand, bellyband, belly-land, borderland, bottomland, cap in hand, concert grand, confirmand, contraband, countermand, Damavand, Dixieland, ductless gland, eldest hand, fairyland, fatherland, force one's hand, forestland, four-in-hand, garage band, gastric gland, Gelderland, graduand, hand in hand, hand-to-hand, hand to hand, helping hand, high command, hinterland, Holy Land, Krugerrand, lotusland, meadowland, minute hand, motherland, Nagaland, narrowband, no-man's-land, on demand, one-man band, one-night stand, operand, ordinand, out of hand, overhand, overland, parlor grand, pastureland, promised land, prostate gland, public land, radicand, reprimand, Rio Grande, rubber band, running hand, saraband, secondhand, Swaziland, tableland, taxi stand, timberland, Togoland, try one's hand, underhand, undermanned, wonderland, Zululand
UNDERSTANDABLE Defined for Kids
understand
verb un·der·stand \ˌən-dər-ˈstand\
un·der·stood \-ˈstu̇d\un·der·stand·ing
Definition of UNDERSTAND for Kids
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.>
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