- the past tense and past participle of understand
implied or inferred taken for granted; assumed
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
un•der•stood /ˌʌndɚˈstʊd/USA pronunciation
v.
adj.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- pt. and pp. of understand.
adj.
- agreed upon by all parties.
- implied but not said in words:The understood meaning of a danger sign is "Keep away.''
un•der•stand /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/USA pronunciation
v. [not: be + ~ -ing], -stood, -stand•ing.
un•der•stand•a•bly, adv. See-stan-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to see or perceive the meaning of;
comprehend: [~ + object]to understand a poem.[~ + (that) clause]doesn't understand that he's not welcome.[no object]Don't say a word to anyone, understand? - to be familiar with;
have a thorough knowledge of: [~ + object]to understand literature; She understands businesspeople.[no object]She understands about businesspeople. - to interpret or comprehend in a specified way: [~ + object + as + object]understood the suggestion as a complaint.[~ + object + to + verb]We understood you to mean you agree.
- to grasp the significance or importance of: [~ + object]He doesn't understand responsibility.[no object]A child doesn't understand about death.
- to learn or hear:[~ + (that) clause]I understand that you were ill.
- to regard as agreed or settled;
assume:[~ + (that) clause]We understand that you will repay this loan. - to infer (something not stated):[~ + object]In sentences that are commands, like Run!, the subject you is understood.
- to accept something tolerantly, or with forgiveness or sympathy:[no object]If you can't come to the funeral, I will understand.
un•der•stand•a•bly, adv. See
un•der•stood
(un′dər stŏŏd′),USA pronunciation v.
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- pt. and pp. of understand.
adj.
- agreed upon;
known in advance;
assented to:It is the understood policy of this establishment to limit credit. - implied but not stated;
left unexpressed:The understood meaning of a danger sign is "Do not approach.''
un•der•stand
(un′dər stand′),USA pronunciation v., -stood, -stand•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
v.t.
- to perceive the meaning of;
grasp the idea of;
comprehend:to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question. - to be thoroughly familiar with;
apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of:to understand a trade. - to assign a meaning to;
interpret:He understood her suggestion as a complaint. - to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of:He does not understand responsibility.
- to regard as firmly communicated;
take as agreed or settled:I understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days. - to learn or hear:I understand that you are going out of town.
- to accept as true;
believe:I understand that you are trying to be truthful, but you are wrong. - to construe in a particular way:You are to understand the phrase literally.
- to supply mentally (something that is not expressed).
v.i.
- to perceive what is meant;
grasp the information conveyed:She told them about it in simple words, hoping they would understand. - to accept tolerantly or sympathetically:If you can't do it, I'll understand.
- to have knowledge or background, as on a particular subject:He understands about boats.
- to have a systematic interpretation or rationale, as in a field or area of knowledge:He can repeat every rule in the book, but he just doesn't understand.
- bef. 900; Middle English understanden, understonden, Old English understondan; cognate with Dutch onderstaan. See under-, stand
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See know 1.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
- (may take a clause as object)
to know and comprehend the nature or meaning of: I understand you, I understand what you mean - (may take a clause as object)
to realize or grasp (something): he understands your position - (tr; may take a clause as object)
to assume, infer, or believe: I understand you are thinking of marrying - (transitive)
to know how to translate or read: can you understand Spanish? - (tr; may take a clause as object; often passive)
to accept as a condition or proviso: it is understood that children must be kept quiet - (transitive)
to be sympathetic to or compatible with: we understand each other
'be understood' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
above
- across
- arcane
- be
- bi
- closed book
- condescend
- determinative
- double entendre
- dumb
- family therapy
- historicism
- holism
- in-joke
- intelligible
- lexeme
- machine code
- penetrate
- phrase
- put
- recondite
- resonate
- saying
- so
- telepathy
- than
- that
- this
- unsearchable
- vicious circle
- visual aids