verb

grok

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Grok (verb) means (informal) To understand something instinctively, without having to work it out logically.

verb

(informal) To understand something instinctively, without having to work it out logically.

"Because what he never managed to grok then was that the company he created was destined to become a template for all of humanity, the digital reflection of masses of people across the globe. Including — and especially — the bad ones." — Kara Swisher, The Expensive Education of Mark Zuckerberg and Silicon Valley (2018)

(informal) To understand something completely, down to every detail.

"I find it exceedingly doubtful that any person groks quantum mechanics."

"Today we take a few moments to help you grok some of the ways that victims of TU can up their hipness – if we may use that term without being considered old school." — Stanley Bing, New Help for Hodads (2008)

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Etymology

Coined by American author and aeronautical engineer Robert A. Heinlein in 1961 in his novel Stranger in a Strange Land. Heinlein invented the word for his fictitious Martian language. It is described as meaning “to drink” and, figuratively, “to drink in all available aspects of reality”, “to become one with the observed”. William Tenn later asked Heinlein if it could have been inspired by the term griggo, which featured in Tenn's Venus and the Seven Sexes (1949); Heinlein “looked startled, then thought about it for a long time (and) shrugged, (saying) ‘It's possible, very possible.’”

Synonyms

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comprehend compass dig grasp savvy apprehend

Related words

know take understand hold shot learn range technology

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of grok?

"grok" (verb) means (informal) To understand something instinctively, without having to work it out logically.

What is another word for grok?

Other words for "grok" include comprehend, compass, dig, grasp, savvy, apprehend.

What are the different meanings of grok?

"grok" has 2 main meanings: 1. (informal) To understand something instinctively, without having to work it out logically; 2. (informal) To understand something completely, down to every detail.

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