understand

UK: /ˌʌndə^rˈstænd/ US: /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/ ,(un′dər stand′)

Inflections of 'understand' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

understands

v 3rd person singular

understanding

v pres p

understood

v past

understood

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•der•stand /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/   v. [not: be + ~ -ing] , -stood, -stand•ing. 

1. 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?
2. to be familiar with;
   have a thorough knowledge of: [~ + object]
   to understand literature; She understands businesspeople.
   [no object]
   She understands about businesspeople.
3. 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.
4. to grasp the significance or importance of: [~ + object]
   He doesn't understand responsibility.
   [no object]
   A child doesn't understand about death.
5. to learn or hear:
   [~ + (that) clause] I understand that you were ill.
6. to regard as agreed or settled;
   assume:
   [~ + (that) clause] We understand that you will repay this loan.
7. to infer (something not stated):
   [~ + object] In sentences that are commands, like Run!, the subject you is understood.
8. 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•ble, adj.: 

My French was barely understandable.

[It + be + ~ + that clause]

It's understandable that you are upset.

un•der•stand•a•bly, adv. See-stan-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•der•stand  (un′dər stand′), v., -stood, -stand•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to perceive the meaning of;
   grasp the idea of;
   comprehend:
   to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question.
2. to be thoroughly familiar with;
   apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of:
   to understand a trade.
3. to assign a meaning to;
   interpret:
   He understood her suggestion as a complaint.
4. to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of:
   He does not understand responsibility.
5. to regard as firmly communicated;
   take as agreed or settled:
   I understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days.
6. to learn or hear:
   I understand that you are going out of town.
7. to accept as true;
   believe:
   I understand that you are trying to be truthful, but you are wrong.
8. to construe in a particular way:
   You are to understand the phrase literally.
9. to supply mentally (something that is not expressed).

v.i. 

10. to perceive what is meant;
    grasp the information conveyed:
    She told them about it in simple words, hoping they would understand.
11. to accept tolerantly or sympathetically:
    If you can't do it, I'll understand.
12. to have knowledge or background, as on a particular subject:
    He understands about boats.
13. 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

Synonyms

• 1. See know ¹.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

understand / ˌʌndəˈstænd/ verb ( -stands, -standing, -stood)

1. (may take a clause as object) to know and comprehend the nature or meaning of: I understand you, I understand what you mean
2. (may take a clause as object) to realize or grasp (something): he understands your position
3. (tr; may take a clause as object) to assume, infer, or believe: I understand you are thinking of marrying
4. (transitive) to know how to translate or read: can you understand Spanish?
5. (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
6. (transitive) to be sympathetic to or compatible with: we understand each other

Etymology: Old English understandan; related to Old Frisian understonda, Middle High German understān step under; see under, stand

ˌunderˈstandable adjective

ˌunderˈstandably adverb