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adjective Common

understood

uhn-duh-STUUD

Understood (adjective) means grasped or accepted without needing to be stated directly. Example: “It was understood that latecomers would not be allowed in.”

adjective
1
Grasped or accepted without needing to be stated directly.
"It was understood that latecomers would not be allowed in."
interjection
1
Used to confirm that a message or instruction has been received and grasped.
""Report back by six." "Understood.""

How to Use Understood

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe past tense of understand, or a way of confirming you've grasped something.

Common pairings
well understood clearly understood

Word Forms

more understood comparative, most understood superlative

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Test yourself on “understood” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

It was _____ that latecomers would not be allowed in.

Related Words

Rhymes for understood

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “understood” mean?

The word “understood” means grasped or accepted without needing to be stated directly. In plain terms, the past tense of understand, or a way of confirming you've grasped something.

How do you pronounce “understood”?

“Understood” is pronounced uhn-duh-STUUD (/ʌndɚˈstʊd/ in IPA).

How do you use “understood” in a sentence?

Here is “understood” used in a sentence: “It was understood that latecomers would not be allowed in.”

What part of speech is “understood”?

Depending on how it is used, “understood” can be an adjective and an interjection.

Is “understood” a common word?

“Understood” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “understood” have?

“Understood” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: grasped or accepted without needing to be stated directly.

What is the difference between understood and implied?

Something implied is hinted at by a speaker through indirect wording. Something understood is grasped by everyone as true without being said at all. Implication comes from the sender; an understanding is shared on the receiving end. In practice they overlap, since what is implied is often mutually understood.

What does it mean when something is 'understood'?

It means the point is accepted or known without being stated openly. If a rule is 'understood,' nobody needs to spell it out, because everyone already takes it as given. The word points to shared, unspoken knowledge, as in 'it was understood that guests would remove their shoes.'

What is an example of 'understood' used this way?

'Their agreement was never written down, but it was understood by both sides.' Here nothing was declared aloud, yet both parties treated the terms as settled. Similarly, 'it goes without saying' captures the same idea: a truth accepted tacitly, without needing explicit words.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial