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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.

They sit at the heart of how we interpret modern physics and quietly shape everything from how we understand general relativity to how we imagine time travel, multiverses and our origins.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

"The committee therefore opposes any changes until robust, independent real-world assessments have been undertaken to understand how these changes could affect local communities in practice," the letter said.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

There is optimism in some financial and diplomatic quarters, and I understand why.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

When I moved here I began to understand her, to feel her.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Lafayette says, “Try to relax. And remember, all these events have already happened. You can’t change them. All you can do is try to understand them.”

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold




Vocabulary lists containing understand


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