noun
Uncommon
fathom
FATHM
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.”
noun
1
A unit of length equal to six feet (about 1.8 metres), traditionally used to measure the depth of water.
"The wreck lies at a depth of about forty fathoms."
verb
1
To understand something fully, especially something puzzling or complicated.
"I still can't fathom why he quit such a great job."
"She tried to fathom the meaning behind his cryptic message."
How to use fathom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a nautical unit of depth, or (more commonly today) to fully understand something confusing.
Common mistake
In modern everyday speech, "fathom" almost always means "to understand" — the measurement sense is mostly limited to sailing and diving contexts.
Common pairings
fathom out
hard to fathom
unable to fathom
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Word forms
- Plural
- fathoms
- Third person singular
- fathoms
- Past tense
- fathomed
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.
