understand

/,ʌndə'stænd/

Definition

Verb (transitive & intransitive):
- To perceive the meaning, nature, or explanation of something; to comprehend: To grasp the idea, significance, or reason behind information, a situation, or a person's words.
- To be sympathetically aware of the character or nature of a person or situation; to empathize: To have an insightful or tolerant awareness of another's feelings, motives, or circumstances.
- To interpret or view something in a particular way: To take something as meant or implied; to infer.
- To know and comprehend the nature, significance, or meaning of a language, concept, or subject: To have a command or mastery of it.

Examples of Usage

Verb:
- I understand the instructions perfectly. (I comprehend the meaning of the instructions.)
- Do you understand how this machine works? (Do you grasp the principle of its operation?)
- She understands French. (She knows and can interpret the French language.)
- I understand that you're upset. (I am sympathetically aware of your emotional state.)
- Am I to understand that you're refusing? (Am I to interpret your words/actions as a refusal?)

Advanced Usage

"to give someone to understand": to cause someone to believe something; to imply or inform.
- He gave me to understand the meeting was postponed. (He led me to believe the meeting was postponed.)
"to make oneself understood": to communicate one's meaning clearly so that others comprehend it.
- I struggled to make myself understood in the foreign country. (I tried hard to communicate my meaning clearly.)
Understood as (a past participle phrase): interpreted or regarded in a specific way.
- The term is widely understood as referring to a specific concept. (The term is widely interpreted in that way.)

Variants and Related Words

Understanding (noun): The ability to comprehend; a mutual agreement or sympathy.
- His understanding of physics is impressive.
Understanding (adjective): Sympathetic and tolerant.
- She is a very understanding teacher.
Misunderstand (verb): To fail to understand correctly.
- I'm afraid you misunderstand my intentions.

Synonyms

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Understand" itself does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically modified by context or adverbs.)

Related Idioms

Understand one another/each other: To have a mutual agreement or sympathetic relationship.
- After a long talk, we finally understood each other.
It is understood that...: It is generally accepted or agreed upon that...
- It is understood that all members will contribute.

Verb

be understanding of
- You don't need to explain--I understand!
believe to be the case
- I understand you have no previous experience?
make sense of a language
- She understands French
- Can you read Greek?
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
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
- She did not understand her husband
- I understand what she means

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