un·der·stand
Pronounced:
/ˌʌndɚˈstænd/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
un·der·stands; un·der·stood /-ˈstʊd/ un·der·stand·ing Meaning:
1 : to know the meaning of (something, such as the words that someone is saying or a language) : comprehend [+ obj] ▪ Do you understand English? ▪ “Did you understand what he said?” “Not a word (of it).” ▪ I can't understand a word you're saying. ▪ I don't understand these directions. ▪ I didn't understand what you told me. = I didn't understand you. ▪ If I understand you correctly [=if I understand what you are saying correctly], this needs to be changed. [no obj] ▪ I want you to stay away from her. Do you understand? ▪ The work has to be finished today. Understand? [=do you understand what I am telling you?]
2 [+ obj] : to know how (something) works or happens ▪ They understand local politics. ▪ I don't understand how this is supposed to work. ▪ He doesn't really understand the situation. ▪ You should read the book in order to understand more about the subject. ▪ I can't understand why she would do such a thing. ▪ She's beginning to understand what's going on. ▪ You have to understand that I had no other choice. ▪ We still don't fully understand the causes of the disease. = The causes of the disease are still not fully understood.
3 a [+ obj] : to know how (someone) thinks, feels, or behaves ▪ I understand [=know] him well enough to know that he won't want to go. ▪ She understands children. ▪ At first we didn't get along, but I think we understand each other now. b : to feel sympathy for someone's feelings or situation [+ obj] ▪ She had a similar experience, so she understands what I'm going through. ▪ I can understand your/you feeling annoyed. [=I think you have good reason for feeling annoyed] [no obj] ▪ They will understand if you need some time off. ▪ My cousin doesn't understand about these things.
4 [+ obj] a : to think or believe (something) ▪ She was given to understand [=she was led to believe] that the job was hers. —used to say what you believe to be true based on what you have heard, read, etc. ▪ I understand that they will arrive today. ▪ As I understand it, this has been a problem for several years. ▪ I understand that some doctors disagree. ▪ He understood that he would be paid for the work. b —used to say that something is agreed to or accepted and does not need to be discussed —usually used as (be) understood ▪ It's understood that more time will be needed. [=we all know/accept that more time will be needed] ▪ He believed it was understood [=believed that everyone had agreed] that he would be paid for the work.
5 [+ obj] : to think that (something) has a particular meaning : interpret ▪ I understood the letter to be a refusal.
6 [+ obj] —used to say that a word or phrase is thought of as having been said even though it is not actually said —usually used as (be) understood ▪ When people say “they're engaged,” the phrase “to be married” is understood. [=“they're engaged” is understood to mean “they're engaged to be married”]
2 [+ obj] : to know how (something) works or happens ▪ They understand local politics. ▪ I don't understand how this is supposed to work. ▪ He doesn't really understand the situation. ▪ You should read the book in order to understand more about the subject. ▪ I can't understand why she would do such a thing. ▪ She's beginning to understand what's going on. ▪ You have to understand that I had no other choice. ▪ We still don't fully understand the causes of the disease. = The causes of the disease are still not fully understood.
3 a [+ obj] : to know how (someone) thinks, feels, or behaves ▪ I understand [=know] him well enough to know that he won't want to go. ▪ She understands children. ▪ At first we didn't get along, but I think we understand each other now. b : to feel sympathy for someone's feelings or situation [+ obj] ▪ She had a similar experience, so she understands what I'm going through. ▪ I can understand your/you feeling annoyed. [=I think you have good reason for feeling annoyed] [no obj] ▪ They will understand if you need some time off. ▪ My cousin doesn't understand about these things.
4 [+ obj] a : to think or believe (something) ▪ She was given to understand [=she was led to believe] that the job was hers. —used to say what you believe to be true based on what you have heard, read, etc. ▪ I understand that they will arrive today. ▪ As I understand it, this has been a problem for several years. ▪ I understand that some doctors disagree. ▪ He understood that he would be paid for the work. b —used to say that something is agreed to or accepted and does not need to be discussed —usually used as (be) understood ▪ It's understood that more time will be needed. [=we all know/accept that more time will be needed] ▪ He believed it was understood [=believed that everyone had agreed] that he would be paid for the work.
5 [+ obj] : to think that (something) has a particular meaning : interpret ▪ I understood the letter to be a refusal.
6 [+ obj] —used to say that a word or phrase is thought of as having been said even though it is not actually said —usually used as (be) understood ▪ When people say “they're engaged,” the phrase “to be married” is understood. [=“they're engaged” is understood to mean “they're engaged to be married”]
make yourself understood —see 1make