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Definitions

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.

See Examples For:

I’m trying to understand the potential tax consequences, but I’m concerned about the bigger picture.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026

“I think the vast majority of residents understand this is the world we’re living in,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

The MP isn't a divisive figure, locals tell the BBC, and no one can understand why she was allegedly targeted.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

Scientists now understand that some of these problems were caused by changes in Earth's magnetic field triggered by activity on the Sun.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026

Clare furrowed his brow, feeling as though he was finally about to understand the meaning of it all.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

BBC Scotland understands there are another two families with concerns over palliative care received at the Royal Hospital of Children and Young People but they do not feel ready to share the experience.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

This is all incredibly normal, accepted behaviour which anyone who attends a concert regularly already understands.

From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2026

When he asks Holmes if she understands why “Who’s on First?” is funny, Holmes reveals she didn’t grasp the premise of their gag.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

"Peter Rice understands talent relations, and in a competitive market, creative talent have choices of where they want to work," Sarandos said on the call Tuesday.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026

And though the girl is young, she understands things that others do not.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate

But he surely understood that this was an incautiously brief period of measurement, for the river’s annual flow was wildly variable, ranging from about 9.1 million to 25 million acre-feet during the 20-year sampling.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026

Staff are understood not to have been told officially the club is up for sale and BBC Sport has been told Khun Top remains committed to the club.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

But I am an apple-picking person, and my Dad was an apple-picking person, and I think he understood even then that some things are worth risking an eye for.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

The curfews meant many commuters could not take their regular urban rail services back home, but some late Tuesday said they understood.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

I raised my eyebrows like I hadn’t understood him.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

The event "went off very badly", partly because the Russian had difficulty in understanding Bevan's accent, which led to misunderstanding.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

"I was just over 20, I was probably a little too impatient, without really understanding how much I still had to learn. I wanted to write, I was reading a lot," he wrote.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

As knowledge and understanding diminish, so does the quality of thinking.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

As Perseverance continues its journey, each additional mile could bring scientists closer to understanding the ancient environments of Mars and whether the Red Planet once possessed the conditions necessary for life.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026

Duane sometimes had difficulty understanding the musk ox, who once explained that his formal education gave him an expansive vocabulary.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el


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