understand
uhn-duh-STAND
Understand (verb) means to grasp the meaning of something. Example: “Do you understand the instructions on the form?”
verb
1
To grasp the meaning of something.
"Do you understand the instructions on the form?"
"I finally understood what she meant after she explained it twice."
"The lecture was so fast that few students could understand every point."
2
To know someone's feelings, character, or reasons for acting a certain way.
"Good parents try to understand their children rather than just correct them."
"It took me years to understand why my brother was always so quiet."
"I understand how nervous you feel, because I felt the same before my interview."
3
To believe something to be true based on what you've heard, even without full proof.
"I understand the meeting has been moved to Friday."
"I understand that the shop closes early on Sundays, but I'm not certain."
"We understand the new manager will start sometime next month."
interjection
1
Used to acknowledge that you've grasped what someone just said.
""Take the second left." "Understood.""
How to use understand
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo know what something means, why something happened, or how someone feels.
Common pairings
understand a concept
fully understand
hard to understand
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like understand.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- understands
- Past tense
- understood, understanded
- Archaic forms
- understandest, understoodest, understandeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Do you _____ the instructions on the form?
Etymology
From Old English understandan, literally "to stand among/between," from under- ("among") plus standan ("to stand") — the sense shifted over time from being positioned close to something to grasping it mentally.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for understand
See all rhymes for understand →Frequently asked questions
What does “understand” mean?
The word “understand” means to grasp the meaning of something. In plain terms, to know what something means, why something happened, or how someone feels.
How do you pronounce “understand”?
“Understand” is pronounced uhn-duh-STAND (/ˌʌndəˈstænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “understand” in a sentence?
Here is “understand” used in a sentence: “Do you understand the instructions on the form?”
What is another word for “understand”?
Words with a similar meaning to “understand” include apprehend, comprehend, know, grasp, perceive and pick up what someone is putting down.
What is the opposite of “understand”?
The opposite of “understand” — its antonyms — is misunderstand.
What part of speech is “understand”?
Depending on how it is used, “understand” can be a verb and an interjection.
Where does the word “understand” come from?
The word “understand” comes from Old English. From Old English understandan, literally "to stand among/between," from under- ("among") plus standan ("to stand") — the sense shifted over time from being positioned close to something to grasping it mentally.
Is “understand” a common word?
“Understand” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between understand and know?
To 'know' something is to have the information, a fact, a name, an answer. To 'understand' it is to grasp its meaning and how the parts fit together. You can know that a rule exists without understanding why it works. Understanding is the deeper of the two, going beyond memory to real comprehension.
What is the difference between understand and comprehend?
They mean almost the same thing, to grasp the meaning of something. 'Comprehend' is a little more formal and is common in academic or testing contexts, as in reading comprehension. 'Understand' is the everyday word and also covers sympathy, as in 'I understand how you feel,' which 'comprehend' does not.
Can understanding be taught?
You can teach toward understanding, but you cannot simply hand it over. A teacher presents information and explains connections, yet the learner has to grasp the meaning for themselves. That is why explaining, questioning, and examples matter: they help someone move from just knowing the facts to truly understanding them.
What is the opposite of understand?
The clearest opposite is 'misunderstand,' to grasp a meaning wrongly. 'Be confused' or 'fail to follow' also work when you simply do not get it at all. Where understanding means clear comprehension, its opposites cover both getting it wrong and not getting it in the first place.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include understand:
