What does “understand” mean?
- 1
verbto know the meaning of something
I don’t understand this word.
- 2
verbto know how someone feels or why something happens
I understand why you’re upset.
Understand at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/ · un-der-STAND
- Forms
- understood, understood
How to use “understand” correctly
Don’t use “understand” in the continuous: say “I understand”, not “I am understanding”.
Common phrases with “understand”
- fully understand
- make yourself understood
- understand why
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- misunderstand
Word family
- understanding
- misunderstand
- understandable
“understand” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- agree verbA1to have the same opinion as someone
- believe verbA1to think that something is true
- choose verbA1to decide which one you want from a group of things or people
- forget verbA1to not remember something
- know verbA1to have information about something in your mind
- remember verbA1to keep or bring back information or an experience in your mind
- see verbA1to notice people and things with your eyes
- think verbA1to have an opinion or believe something