/ ˌʌndəˈstænd; NAmE -dərˈs-/ verb
( under·stood , under·stood / -ˈstʊd; NAmE /) (not used in the progressive tenses)
MEANING
1.
to know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what sb says, etc. :
[ vn ]
Can you understand French?
Do you understand the instructions?
She didn't understand the form she was signing.
[ v ]
I'm not sure that I understand. Go over it again.
I don't want you doing that again. Do you understand?
[ v wh- ]
I don't understand what he's saying.
HOW STH WORKS / HAPPENS
2.
to know or realize how or why sth happens, how it works or why it is important :
[ vn ]
Doctors still don't understand much about the disease.
No one is answering the phone—I can't understand it.
[ v wh- ]
I could never understand why she was fired.
[ vn -ing ]
I just can't understand him taking the money.
( formal )
I just can't understand his taking the money.
[also v that , v ]
KNOW SB
3.
to know sb's character, how they feel and why they behave in the way they do :
[ vn ]
Nobody understands me.
He doesn't understand women at all.
[ v wh- ]
They understand what I have been through.
[ v that ]
I quite understand that you need some time alone.
[ vn -ing ]
I quite understand you needing some time alone.
[ v ]
If you want to leave early, I'm sure he'll understand.
THINK / BELIEVE
4.
( formal ) to think or believe that sth is true because you have been told that it is :
[ v ( that )]
I understand (that) you wish to see the manager.
Am I to understand that you refuse?
[ vn to inf ]
The Prime Minister is understood to have been extremely angry about the report.
[ vn that ]
It is understood that the band are working on their next album.
BE AGREED
5.
[ vn ( that )] [ usually passive ] to agree sth with sb without it needing to be said :
I thought it was understood that my expenses would be paid.
MISSING WORD
6.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] to realize that a word in a phrase or sentence is not expressed and to supply it in your mind :
In the sentence 'I can't drive', the object 'a car' is understood.
•
IDIOMS
- make yourself understood
—more at give verb
••
SYNONYMS
understand
see ♦ get ♦ follow ♦ grasp ♦ comprehend
All these words mean to know or realize sth, for example why sth happens, how sth works or what sth means.
understand
to know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what sb says, etc.; to know or realize how or why sth happens, how it works or why it is important:
I don't understand the instructions.
•
Doctors still don't understand much about the disease.
see
to understand what is happening, what sb is saying, how sth works or how important sth is:
'It opens like this.' ' Oh, I see .'
•
Oh yes, I see what you mean .
get
( informal ) to understand a joke, what sb is trying to tell you, or a situation that they are trying to describe:
She didn't get the joke.
•
I don't get you.
follow
to understand an explanation, a story or the meaning of sth:
Sorry—I don't quite follow.
•
The plot is almost impossible to follow.
grasp
to come to understand a fact, an idea or how to do sth:
They failed to grasp the importance of his words.
understand or grasp?
You can use understand or grasp for the action of realizing the meaning or importance of sth for the first time:
It's a difficult concept for children to understand / grasp.
Only understand can be used to talk about languages, words or writing: I don't grasp French / the instructions.
comprehend
(often used in negative statements) ( formal ) to understand a fact, idea or reason:
The concept of infinity is almost impossible for the human mind to comprehend.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to understand / see / get / follow / grasp / comprehend what / why / how...
to understand / see / grasp / comprehend that...
to be easy / difficult / hard to understand / see / follow / grasp / comprehend
to fully / completely understand / see / grasp / comprehend sth
to understand / see / get / grasp the point / idea (of sth)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English understandan (see under- , stand ).