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understand

[uhn-der-stand] / ˌʌn dərˈstænd /




Usage

What are other ways to say understand? To understand is to be fully aware not only of the meaning of something but also of its implications: I could comprehend all he said, but did not understand that he was joking. To know is to be aware of something as a fact or truth: He knows the basic facts of the subject. I know that he agrees with me. To comprehend is to know something thoroughly and to perceive its relationships to certain other ideas, facts, etc. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By then he had worked to translate his record at Microsoft into plain English, helping profile viewers understand his responsibilities and impact.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

Robin doesn’t tell tall tales himself except once and when he does, you can understand why, but not why one listener in particular goes along with it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

For one, investors and businesses may need to find and build new data sources to understand current economic conditions.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

To understand how stress has changed over time along the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults, as well as at Cajon Pass, the team developed a physics-based four-dimensional earthquake cycle model.

From Science Daily • Jun. 18, 2026

The wolf cub did not at all understand what was going on.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver




Vocabulary lists containing understand


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