understand
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un·der·stand
(ŭn′dər-stănd′)v. un·der·stood (-sto͝od′), un·der·stand·ing, un·der·stands
v.tr.
1.
a. To become aware of the nature and significance of; know or comprehend: She understands the difficulty involved.
b. To become aware of the intended meaning of (a person or remark, for example): We understand what they're saying; we just disagree with it. When he began describing his eccentric theories, we could no longer understand him.
c. To know and be tolerant or sympathetic toward: hoped that they would understand my complaint.
2. To know thoroughly by close contact or long experience with: That teacher understands children. I understand the basics of car repair.
3.
a. To learn indirectly or infer, as from hearsay: I understand his departure was unexpected. Am I to understand you are staying the night?
b. To assume to be or accept as agreed: It is understood that the fee will be $50.
4. To supply or add (words or a meaning, for example) mentally: A verb is understood at the end of the statement "Yes, let's."
v.intr.
1.
a. To have understanding, knowledge, or comprehension.
b. To have sympathy or tolerance: You're upset. I understand.
2. To learn something indirectly or secondhand; gather.
[Middle English understanden, from Old English understandan : under-, under- + standan, to stand; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
Synonyms: understand, comprehend, apprehend, grasp
These verbs denote perception of the nature and significance of something. Understand is the most general and can apply to a range of situations or degrees of perception: understood the directions; understands only a little spoken Spanish; couldn't understand what I did wrong.
It can also refer to the thorough knowledge gained by close experience: "No one who has not had the responsibility can really understand what it is like to be President" (Harry S. Truman).
Comprehend stresses wide or thorough perception: "To comprehend is to know a thing as well as that thing can be known" (John Donne).
Apprehend denotes both mental and intuitive awareness: "Intelligence is quickness to apprehend" (Alfred North Whitehead).
To grasp is to seize an idea firmly: "We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount" (Omar N. Bradley).
These verbs denote perception of the nature and significance of something. Understand is the most general and can apply to a range of situations or degrees of perception: understood the directions; understands only a little spoken Spanish; couldn't understand what I did wrong.
It can also refer to the thorough knowledge gained by close experience: "No one who has not had the responsibility can really understand what it is like to be President" (Harry S. Truman).
Comprehend stresses wide or thorough perception: "To comprehend is to know a thing as well as that thing can be known" (John Donne).
Apprehend denotes both mental and intuitive awareness: "Intelligence is quickness to apprehend" (Alfred North Whitehead).
To grasp is to seize an idea firmly: "We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount" (Omar N. Bradley).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
understand
(ˌʌndəˈstænd)vb, -stands, -standing or -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. (tr) 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. (tr) to be sympathetic to or compatible with: we understand each other.
[Old English understandan; related to Old Frisian understonda, Middle High German understān step under; see under, stand]
ˌunderˈstandable adj
ˌunderˈstandably adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
un•der•stand
(ˌʌn dərˈstænd)v. -stood, -stand•ing. v.t.
1. to perceive the meaning of; comprehend: to understand a poem.
2. to be familiar with; have a thorough knowledge of: to understand a trade.
3. to interpret or comprehend in a specified way: She understood his suggestion as a complaint.
4. to grasp the significance or importance of: He doesn't understand responsibility.
5. to regard as agreed or settled; assume: We understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days.
6. to learn or hear: I understand you were ill.
7. to infer (something not stated).
v.i. 8. to perceive what is meant; comprehend.
9. to accept something tolerantly or sympathetically: If you can't do it, I will understand.
10. to have knowledge about a particular subject: She understands about boats.
[before 900; Middle English; Old English understondan; c. Dutch onderstaan]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
See also related terms for recognize.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
understand
– realize1. 'understand'
If you can understand someone or can understand what they are saying, you know what they mean.
His lecture was confusing; no one could understand the terminology.
Her accent was hard to understand.
If you say that you understand that something is true, you mean that you have been told that it is true.
I understand he's been married before.
There was no definite evidence, I understand.
2. 'realize'
Don't use understand to say that someone becomes aware of something. Don't say, for example, 'Until he stopped working he hadn't understood how late it was'. You say 'Until he stopped working he hadn't realized how late it was'.
As soon as I saw him, I realized that I'd seen him before.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
understand
Past participle: understood
Gerund: understanding
| Imperative |
|---|
| understand |
| understand |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Verb | 1. |  understand - know and comprehend the nature or meaning of; "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means"apprehend, comprehend, get the picture, grok, savvy, grasp, compass, dig - get the meaning of something; "Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?" sense - comprehend; "I sensed the real meaning of his letter" follow - grasp the meaning; "Can you follow her argument?"; "When he lectures, I cannot follow" get, catch - grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of; "did you catch that allusion?"; "We caught something of his theory in the lecture"; "don't catch your meaning"; "did you get it?"; "She didn't get the joke"; "I just don't get him" touch - comprehend; "He could not touch the meaning of the poem" translate, understand, interpret, read - make sense of a language; "She understands French"; "Can you read Greek?" read - to hear and understand; "I read you loud and clear!" construe, interpret, see - make sense of; assign a meaning to; "What message do you see in this letter?"; "How do you interpret his behavior?" make out - comprehend; "I cannot make out what this politician is saying" figure out, puzzle out, solve, lick, work out, work - find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of; "did you solve the problem?"; "Work out your problems with the boss"; "this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out"; "did you get it?"; "Did you get my meaning?"; "He could not work the math problem" |
| 2. |  understand - perceive (an idea or situation) mentally; "Now I see!"; "I just can't see your point"; "Does she realize how important this decision is?"; "I don't understand the idea"perceive - become conscious of; "She finally perceived the futility of her protest" take account, appreciate - be fully aware of; realize fully; "Do you appreciate the full meaning of this letter?" envision, fancy, picture, visualize, image, visualise, figure, see, project - imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind; "I can't see him on horseback!"; "I can see what will happen"; "I can see a risk in this strategy" see - see and understand, have a good eye; "The artist must first learn to see" | |
| 3. |  understand - make sense of a language; "She understands French"; "Can you read Greek?"understand - know and comprehend the nature or meaning of; "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means" | |
| 4. |  understand - believe to be the case; "I understand you have no previous experience?"believe - accept as true; take to be true; "I believed his report"; "We didn't believe his stories from the War"; "She believes in spirits" | |
| 5. |  understand - be understanding of; "You don't need to explain--I understand!" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
understand
verb
1. comprehend, get, take in, perceive, grasp, know, see, follow, realize, recognize, appreciate, be aware of, penetrate, make out, discern, twig (Brit. informal), fathom, savvy (slang), apprehend, conceive of, suss (Brit. informal), get to the bottom of, get the hang of (informal), tumble to (informal), catch on to (informal), cotton on to (informal), make head or tail of (informal), get your head round I think you understand my meaning.
2. sympathize with, appreciate, be aware of, be able to see, take on board (informal), empathize with, commiserate with, show compassion for Trish had not exactly understood his feelings.
3. believe, hear, learn, gather, think, see, suppose, notice, assume, take it, conclude, fancy, presume, be informed, infer, surmise, hear tell, draw the inference I understand you've heard about David.
Quotations
"In the long course of history, having people who understand your thought is much greater security than another submarine" [J. William Fulbright speaking of the Fulbright scholarship programme]
"In the long course of history, having people who understand your thought is much greater security than another submarine" [J. William Fulbright speaking of the Fulbright scholarship programme]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
understand
verb1. To perceive directly with the intellect:
Scots: ken.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
يَتَفَهَّميُدْرِكيَفْهَميَفْهَمُ
разбирам
rozumětvyrozumětdovědět semít pochopení
forståmene
kompreni
aru saamamõistma
ymmärtääkäsittääosatatajutauskoa
razumijeti
alaposan ismerértértesülfelfogmegért
paham
gera sér grein fyrir, skiljastskilja
理解する信じる分かる
이해하다
credo
atjaučiantisnusimanyti apiepasakyti suprantamaisuprasti
saprastsaprastiesdomātizprastnoprast
intelege
mať pochopenieporozumieť
razumetiuvideti
förstå
เข้าใจ
hiểu
understand
[ˌʌndəˈstænd] (understood (pt, pp))A. VT
1. (= comprehend) (gen) → entender; (more formal, esp complex issues) → comprender
I can't understand it! → ¡no lo entiendo!
I can't understand your writing → no entiendo tu letra
that's what I can't understand → eso es lo que no logro entender or comprender
that is easily understood → eso se entiende fácilmente
I don't want to hear another word about it, (is that) understood? → no quiero que se hable más del tema, ¿entendido or comprendido?
the process is still not fully understood → el proceso todavía no se comprende or entiende del todo
doctors are still trying to understand the disease → los médicos siguen intentando comprender la enfermedad
it must be understood that → debe entenderse que ...
you must understand that we're very busy → debes entender or comprender que estamos muy ocupados
to understand how/why → entender or comprender cómo/por qué
I can't understand it! → ¡no lo entiendo!
I can't understand your writing → no entiendo tu letra
that's what I can't understand → eso es lo que no logro entender or comprender
that is easily understood → eso se entiende fácilmente
I don't want to hear another word about it, (is that) understood? → no quiero que se hable más del tema, ¿entendido or comprendido?
the process is still not fully understood → el proceso todavía no se comprende or entiende del todo
doctors are still trying to understand the disease → los médicos siguen intentando comprender la enfermedad
it must be understood that → debe entenderse que ...
you must understand that we're very busy → debes entender or comprender que estamos muy ocupados
to understand how/why → entender or comprender cómo/por qué
2. (= follow, interpret) → entender
did I understand you correctly? → ¿te entendí bien?
to make o.s. understood → hacerse entender
he was trying to make himself understood → estaba intentando hacerse entender
do I make myself understood? → ¿queda claro?
did I understand you correctly? → ¿te entendí bien?
to make o.s. understood → hacerse entender
he was trying to make himself understood → estaba intentando hacerse entender
do I make myself understood? → ¿queda claro?
3. (= empathize with) [+ person, point of view, attitude] → comprender, entender
his wife doesn't understand him → su mujer no le comprende or entiende
she understands children → comprende or entiende a los niños
we understand one another → nos comprendemos or entendemos
I (fully) understand your position → comprendo or entiendo (totalmente) su posición
I quite understand that you don't want to come → me hago cargo de que no quieres venir
his wife doesn't understand him → su mujer no le comprende or entiende
she understands children → comprende or entiende a los niños
we understand one another → nos comprendemos or entendemos
I (fully) understand your position → comprendo or entiendo (totalmente) su posición
I quite understand that you don't want to come → me hago cargo de que no quieres venir
4. (= know) [+ language] → entender
he can't understand a word of Spanish → no entiende ni una palabra de español
he can't understand a word of Spanish → no entiende ni una palabra de español
5. (= believe) → tener entendido
I understand you have been absent → tengo entendido que usted ha estado ausente
as I understand it, he's trying to set up a meeting → según tengo entendido or según creo está intentando convocar una reunión
it's understood that he had a heart attack → se piensa or cree que sufrió un infarto
am I to understand that ...? → ¿debo entender que ...?
we confirm our reservation and we understand (that) the rental will be 500 euros → confirmamos nuestra reserva y entendemos que el alquiler será de 500 euros
to give sb to understand that → dar a algn a entender que
we were given to understand that → se nos dio a entender que ...
it was understood that he would pay for it → se dio por sentado que él lo pagaría
he let it be understood that → dio a entender que ...
I understand you have been absent → tengo entendido que usted ha estado ausente
as I understand it, he's trying to set up a meeting → según tengo entendido or según creo está intentando convocar una reunión
it's understood that he had a heart attack → se piensa or cree que sufrió un infarto
am I to understand that ...? → ¿debo entender que ...?
we confirm our reservation and we understand (that) the rental will be 500 euros → confirmamos nuestra reserva y entendemos que el alquiler será de 500 euros
to give sb to understand that → dar a algn a entender que
we were given to understand that → se nos dio a entender que ...
it was understood that he would pay for it → se dio por sentado que él lo pagaría
he let it be understood that → dio a entender que ...
B. VI
1. (= comprehend) → entender; (more emphatic) → comprender
do you understand? → ¿entiendes or comprendes?
now I understand! → ¡ahora entiendo!, ¡ahora comprendo!
there's to be no noise, (do you) understand? → que no haya ruido, ¿entiendes or comprendes?
do you understand? → ¿entiendes or comprendes?
now I understand! → ¡ahora entiendo!, ¡ahora comprendo!
there's to be no noise, (do you) understand? → que no haya ruido, ¿entiendes or comprendes?
3. (= accept sb's position) → entender; (esp in more complex situation) → comprender
he'll understand → lo entenderá or comprenderá
don't worry, I quite understand → no te preocupes, lo entiendo or comprendo perfectamente
he'll understand → lo entenderá or comprenderá
don't worry, I quite understand → no te preocupes, lo entiendo or comprendo perfectamente
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
understand
[ˌʌndərˈstænd] [understood] (pt, pp) vt
(= perceive meaning of) [+ person, words, language] → comprendre
I don't understand this word → Je ne comprends pas ce mot.
Do you understand German? → Vous comprenez l'allemand?
Is that understood? → C'est compris?
to make o.s. understood → se faire comprendre
I don't understand this word → Je ne comprends pas ce mot.
Do you understand German? → Vous comprenez l'allemand?
Is that understood? → C'est compris?
to make o.s. understood → se faire comprendre
[+ events, situation, process] → comprendre
They are too young to understand what is going on → Ils sont trop jeunes pour comprendre ce qui se passe.
They are too young to understand what is going on → Ils sont trop jeunes pour comprendre ce qui se passe.
[+ person, feelings] → comprendre
His wife doesn't understand him → Sa femme ne le comprend pas.
My husband and I understand each other very well → Nous nous comprenons très bien mon mari et moi
His wife doesn't understand him → Sa femme ne le comprend pas.
My husband and I understand each other very well → Nous nous comprenons très bien mon mari et moi
(= believe) → croire comprendre
I understand that she has several aunts → Je crois comprendre qu'elle a plusieurs tantes.
it is understood that ... → il est entendu que ...
he is understood to be in Italy → il serait apparemment en Italie
to give sb to understand that → laisser entendre à qn que
I was given to understand that ... → on m'a laissé entendre que ...
I understand that she has several aunts → Je crois comprendre qu'elle a plusieurs tantes.
it is understood that ... → il est entendu que ...
he is understood to be in Italy → il serait apparemment en Italie
to give sb to understand that → laisser entendre à qn que
I was given to understand that ... → on m'a laissé entendre que ...
to be understood (= be agreed tacitly) → être entendu
I thought it was understood you wouldn't come after midnight → Je croyais qu'il était entendu que vous ne viendriez pas après minuit.
No names were mentioned, everything was understood
BUT Aucun nom n'a été mentionné, tout s'est dit à mots couverts.
I thought it was understood you wouldn't come after midnight → Je croyais qu'il était entendu que vous ne viendriez pas après minuit.
No names were mentioned, everything was understood
BUT Aucun nom n'a été mentionné, tout s'est dit à mots couverts.
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
understand
pret, ptp <understood>vt
language, painting, statement, speaker → verstehen; action, event, person, difficulty also → begreifen; I don’t understand Russian → ich verstehe or kann kein Russisch; that’s what I can’t understand → das kann ich eben nicht verstehen or begreifen; I can’t understand his agreeing to do it → ich kann nicht verstehen or es ist mir unbegreiflich, warum er sich dazu bereit erklärt hat; but understand this! → aber eins sollte klar sein; what do you understand by “pragmatism”? → was verstehen Sie unter „Pragmatismus“?
(= comprehend sympathetically) children, people, animals, doubts, fears → verstehen; to understand one another → sich verstehen
(= believe) I understand that you are going to Australia → ich höre, Sie gehen nach Australien; I understand that you’ve already met her → Sie haben sich, soviel ich weiß, schon kennengelernt; I understood (that) he was abroad/we were to have been consulted → ich dachte, er sei im Ausland/wir sollten dazu befragt werden; am I/are we to understand that …? → soll das etwa heißen, dass …?; as I understand it, … → soweit ich weiß, …; did I understand him to say that …? → habe ich richtig verstanden, dass er sagte, …?; but I understood her to say that she agreed → aber soweit ich sie verstanden habe, hat sie zugestimmt; to give somebody to understand that … → jdm zu verstehen geben, dass …; I was given to understand that … → man hat mir bedeutet, dass …; I understood from his speech that … → ich schloss aus seiner Rede, dass …; what do you understand from his remarks? → wie verstehen Sie seine Bemerkungen?
vi
(= comprehend) → verstehen; (do you) understand? → (hast du/haben Sie das) verstanden?; you don’t understand! → du verstehst mich nicht!; but you don’t understand, I must have the money now → aber verstehen Sie doch, ich brauche das Geld jetzt!; I quite understand → ich verstehe schon
(= believe) so I understand → es scheint so; he was, I understand, a widower → wie ich hörte, war er Witwer
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
understand
[ˌʌndəˈstænd] (understood (pt, pp))1. vt
a. (gen) → capire
to make o.s. understood → farsi capire
I can't understand a word of it → non ci capisco un'acca
I don't understand why ... → non capisco perché...
she understands children → capisce i bambini
we understand one another → ci capiamo (tra di noi)
he doesn't understand how I feel → non mi capisce quello che provo
I can understand his wanting to go → posso ben capire il suo desiderio di andarsene
is that understood? → è chiaro?
I wish it to be understood that ... → vorrei che fosse chiaro che...
understood! (agreed) → intesi!
to make o.s. understood → farsi capire
I can't understand a word of it → non ci capisco un'acca
I don't understand why ... → non capisco perché...
she understands children → capisce i bambini
we understand one another → ci capiamo (tra di noi)
he doesn't understand how I feel → non mi capisce quello che provo
I can understand his wanting to go → posso ben capire il suo desiderio di andarsene
is that understood? → è chiaro?
I wish it to be understood that ... → vorrei che fosse chiaro che...
understood! (agreed) → intesi!
b. (believe) → credere
we understood we were to be paid → a quanto avevamo capito dovevamo essere pagati
I understand you have been absent → mi risulta che lei è stato assente
it's understood that ... → resta inteso che...
he let it be understood that he was leaving → ha dato a intendere che stava per partire
she is understood to be ill → pare che stia poco bene
we understood we were to be paid → a quanto avevamo capito dovevamo essere pagati
I understand you have been absent → mi risulta che lei è stato assente
it's understood that ... → resta inteso che...
he let it be understood that he was leaving → ha dato a intendere che stava per partire
she is understood to be ill → pare che stia poco bene
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
understand
(andəˈstӕnd) verb – past tense, past participle ˌunderˈstood (-ˈstud) –1. to see or know the meaning of (something). I can't understand his absence; Speak slowly to foreigners so that they'll understand you.
2. to know (eg a person) thoroughly. She understands children/dogs.
3. to learn or realize (something), eg from information received. At first I didn't understand how ill she was; I understood that you were planning to leave today.
ˌunderˈstandable adjective that can be understood. His anger is quite understandable.
ˌunderˈstanding adjective (of a person) good at knowing how other people feel; sympathetic. an understanding person; Try to be more understanding!
noun1. the power of thinking clearly. a man of great understanding.
2. the ability to sympathize with another person's feelings. His kindness and understanding were a great comfort to her.
3. a (state of) informal agreement. The two men have come to / reached an understanding after their disagreement.
make (oneself) understood to make one's meaning or intentions clear. He tried speaking German to them, but couldn't make himself understood.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
understand
→ يَفْهَمُ rozumět forstå verstehen καταλαβαίνω comprender ymmärtää comprendre razumijeti comprendere 理解する 이해하다 begrijpen forstå zrozumieć entender понимать förstå เข้าใจ anlamak hiểu 理解Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
understand
vt. comprender, entender.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009