verb
Uncommon
comprehend
komp-rih-HEHND
Comprehend (verb) means to understand something fully. Example: “It took her a moment to comprehend the scale of the disaster.”
verb
1
To understand something fully.
"It took her a moment to comprehend the scale of the disaster."
"Young children may not fully comprehend the concept of death."
"I could not comprehend the instructions until my teacher explained them step by step."
2
To include or contain something as part of a whole.
"The proposal comprehends several smaller initiatives."
"The course comprehends grammar, writing and speaking skills."
"Their offer comprehends food, accommodation and travel for the whole trip."
How to use comprehend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo truly grasp or understand something, mentally taking hold of it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fail to comprehend
fully comprehend
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- comprehends
- Past tense
- comprehended
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took her a moment to _____ the scale of the disaster.
Etymology
From Latin comprehendere, "to grasp," from com- + prehendere ("to seize").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for comprehend
See all rhymes for comprehend →Frequently asked questions
What does “comprehend” mean?
The word “comprehend” means to understand something fully. In plain terms, to truly grasp or understand something, mentally taking hold of it.
How do you pronounce “comprehend”?
“Comprehend” is pronounced komp-rih-HEHND (/ˌkɑmpɹɪˈhɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “comprehend” in a sentence?
Here is “comprehend” used in a sentence: “It took her a moment to comprehend the scale of the disaster.”
What part of speech is “comprehend”?
“Comprehend” is a verb.
Where does the word “comprehend” come from?
The word “comprehend” comes from Latin. From Latin comprehendere, "to grasp," from com- + prehendere ("to seize").
Is “comprehend” a common word?
“Comprehend” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “comprehend” have?
“Comprehend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to understand something fully.
What is the difference between comprehend and understand?
Comprehend and understand both mean to grasp the meaning of something fully, and they are largely interchangeable, though comprehend often carries a slightly more formal tone, especially in academic or written contexts. Understand is more common in everyday speech.
Is comprehend a formal word?
Comprehend tends to sound more formal than its everyday synonym understand, and it is frequently used in academic, legal, or technical writing to describe fully grasping information.
Can comprehend mean to include something?
Yes, comprehend has a second sense meaning to include or contain something as part of a whole, as in "the plan comprehends several stages," though this usage is less common than the sense of understanding.
