understand

verb

1. 1

   To know the meaning of; to parse or have parsed correctly; to comprehend.

   Can you repeat what you just said? I didn't understand.

   Thus, when he drew up instructions in lawyer language, he expressed the important words by an initial, a medial, or a final consonant, and made scratches for all the words between; his clerks, however, understood him very well.

   In reading this book, be very certain you never go past a word you do not fully understand.

   Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths.

2. 2

   To know the meaning of; to parse or have parsed correctly; to comprehend. To know the meaning of.

   ‘[…] I came back here, had a wank and finished that book.’ ‘The Naked Lunch?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘What did you reckon?’ ‘Crap.’ ‘You’re just saying that because you didn’t understand it,’ said Adrian. ‘I’m just saying that because I did understand it,’ said Tom. ‘Any road up, we’d better start making some toast.[…]’

3. 3

   To be thoroughly familiar with; to be able to undertake properly.

   The students understood the assignment.

4. 4

   To comprehend a fact or principle; to regard or come to regard a belief as such.

   I understand that company policy says I can't get a refund, but can you make an exception?

   There's been no formal declaration, but it's understood that a state of war exists between the two countries

   “While we continue to believe the original complaint made to OCR was based on inaccurate information, OPS understands the importance for the district to remain in compliance with Title IX regulations in regard to policies, procedures, training, and documentation,” Coates’ statement said.

5. 5

   To know the intent, motives or character of; (of events) to know the causes of or reasons for.

   One day you say you love me, the next you ignore me—I don't understand you!

6. 6

   To believe or infer, to think one grasps sufficiently despite potentially incomplete knowledge.

   I've been given to understand that you have a package for me?

   At least four people are understood to have been injured.

7. 7

   To regard as present when not.

   In the imperative mood, the word “you” is usually understood.

   ‘I understand that the district was considered a sort of sanctuary,’ the Chief was saying.

8. 8

   rareTo stand underneath, to support.

   LAUNE: Ay, and what I do too: look thee, I'll but lean, and my staff understands me. SPEED: It stands under thee, indeed. LAUNCE:Why, stand-under and under-stand is all one.

interjection

1. 1

   Uh-huh, I see; a way to acknowledge something said by the other speaker.

Forms

past tense

understood

past participle

understood

present participle

understanding

third person singular

understands