understand
To know the meaning of; to parse or have parsed correctly; to comprehend.
Verb 4 meanings
To know the meaning of; to parse or have parsed correctly; to comprehend.
“Can you repeat what you just said? I didn't understand.”
To be thoroughly familiar with; to be able to undertake properly.
“The students understood the assignment.”
To comprehend a fact or principle; to regard or come to regard a belief as such.
“I understand that company policy says I can't get a refund, but can you make an exception?”
To know the intent, motives or character of; (of events) to know the causes of or reasons for.
“One day you say you love me, the next you ignore me—I don't understand you!”
Interjection 1 meaning
Uh-huh, I see; a way to acknowledge something said by the other speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English understanden, from Old English understandan (“to understand”), from Proto-West Germanic *understandan (“to stand between, understand”), from Proto-Germanic *understandaną (“to stand between, understand”), equivalent to Old English under- (“between, inter-”) + standan (“to stand”) (Modern English under- + stand).
Similar and opposite words
UNDERSTAND at a glance
UNDERSTAND has 10 letters and scores 12 points in Scrabble (U 1 + N 1 + D 2 + E 1 + R 1 + S 1 + T 1 + A 1 + N 1 + D 2) and 15 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #403 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with understand
All rhymesKeep going
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