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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.

Those are two criteria that used to be among the most important in the days when humans put together pairings, so you can understand why old-timers are having a hard time adjusting.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

"It's such a poor decision. I don't understand why that's not a penalty."

From BBC • May 9, 2026

The researchers say more work is needed to understand exactly what drives these delayed heart rate increases.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

In the same way that learning another language helps us understand our native tongue more deeply, travel forms character through lived experience.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

The wolf cub did not at all understand what was going on.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver




Vocabulary lists containing understand