understand

understand is one of the 1000 most common headwords.

under - understand - union

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: ŭn(′)dər-stănd', IPA ^(key): /(ˌ)ʌndəˈstænd/,
• (US) enPR: ŭn′dər-stănd', IPA ^(key): /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/ or [ˌʌɾ̃ɚˈstænd] or [ˌʌɾ̃ɚˈsteə̯nd]

• Audio (US)

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• Audio (UK)

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• Hyphenation: un‧der‧stand

Verb

Plain form understand

Third-person singular understands

Past tense understood

Past participle understood

Present participle understanding

1. To hear and then fully know what was said, know enough to do it. To know the meaning of something.
   • Synonym: comprehend

   He understood what I said to him.

   She didn't understand. She thought I meant the meeting was today.