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Definitions

understand

[uhn-der-stand] / ˌʌn dərˈstænd /




Usage

What are other ways to say understand? To understand is to be fully aware not only of the meaning of something but also of its implications: I could comprehend all he said, but did not understand that he was joking. To know is to be aware of something as a fact or truth: He knows the basic facts of the subject. I know that he agrees with me. To comprehend is to know something thoroughly and to perceive its relationships to certain other ideas, facts, etc. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The problem Ms. Lane raises thus also persists: “How can we understand homeschooling on a national level when it is a practice first and foremost characterized by family privacy?”

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 22, 2026

"However, as long as everyone keeps asking the 'why' at such an expensive price point, then we will hopefully understand the motive more at some stage."

From BBC Jul. 22, 2026

Before you make any investment, make sure you understand exactly how the expenses work and when any waivers might be lifted.

From MarketWatch Jul. 22, 2026

“Titanic” made audiences understand why historic catastrophes are also intimate tragedies.

From Salon Jul. 22, 2026

Because only the Hollanders could understand the Dutch text, we would translate aloud in German.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

The BBC understands these plates will be flat and not curved.

From BBC Jul. 22, 2026

According to veteran observers of Israeli politics, Mr. Netanyahu understands that these policies are unpopular.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

He presents himself not as a political press secretary but as the experienced operator who understands what federal agents need and how immigration enforcement must work.

From Salon Jul. 21, 2026

"Now there are rules... laws that protect us. Maybe the maramba understands that, so they do not bother us too much anymore."

From Barron's Jul. 21, 2026

I’ve told her about Mr. Terupt many times, so I know she understands how special he is.

From "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea

But Gabelli said the stock price had been held back because “given the newness of this company, it is not understood by the market.”

From MarketWatch Jul. 22, 2026

It is understood both gatherings were organised to commemorate two young men who had died.

From BBC Jul. 22, 2026

Certainly from the Classical Period — that is, roughly the time of Pericles and Socrates — Greeks understood the Homeric poems as their founding myths.

From Salon Jul. 22, 2026

Some of those host proteins previously had poorly understood functions.

From Science Daily Jul. 21, 2026

Tom Kane understood that great deeds, talents, or discoveries do not create celebrity, media attention does.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Paramount must not “directly or indirectly ... enter into any agreement or understanding with Universal to jointly co-distribute films” in the European countries for 10 years, the commission said.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 22, 2026

European regulators said in a statement that for a period of 10 years, Paramount should also not directly or indirectly "enter into any agreement or understanding with Universal to jointly co-distribute films in the EEA".

From Barron's Jul. 22, 2026

Crude-oil prices jumped above $95 a barrel on Wednesday for the first time since June 10, before the U.S. and Iran signed their memorandum of understanding.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 22, 2026

"Kaylee helped to improve understanding, challenge misconceptions, and prove there are no limits to what people who are deaf or have hearing loss can achieve."

From BBC Jul. 22, 2026

According to the internet, this means understanding who your customers are and why they need your business.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller




Vocabulary lists containing understand


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