fathom
Fathom (noun) means a unit of length equal to six feet (about 1.8 metres), traditionally used to measure the depth of water. Example: “The wreck lies at a depth of about forty fathoms.”
How to use fathom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a nautical unit of depth, or (more commonly today) to fully understand something confusing.
In modern everyday speech, "fathom" almost always means "to understand" — the measurement sense is mostly limited to sailing and diving contexts.
Word forms
fathomed past tense, fathoms plural, fathoms singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The wreck lies at a depth of about forty _____.
Etymology
From Old English fæþm, originally meaning "outstretched arms" or "embrace" — the span of a person's arms was once used to measure length.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “fathom” mean?
The word “fathom” means a unit of length equal to six feet (about 1.8 metres), traditionally used to measure the depth of water. In plain terms, either a nautical unit of depth, or (more commonly today) to fully understand something confusing.
How do you pronounce “fathom”?
“Fathom” is pronounced FATHM (/ˈfæðəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “fathom” in a sentence?
Here is “fathom” used in a sentence: “The wreck lies at a depth of about forty fathoms.”
What part of speech is “fathom”?
Depending on how it is used, “fathom” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fathom” come from?
The word “fathom” comes from Old English. From Old English fæþm, originally meaning "outstretched arms" or "embrace" — the span of a person's arms was once used to measure length.
Is “fathom” a common word?
“Fathom” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fathom” have?
“Fathom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a unit of length equal to six feet (about 1.8 metres), traditionally used to measure the depth of water.