- understand
- un|der|stand [ ,ʌndər`stænd ] (past tense and past participle un|der|stood [ ,ʌndər`stud ] ) verb never progressive ***▸ 1 know what someone/something means▸ 2 know reasons/effects▸ 3 know how someone feels▸ 4 have heard/read something▸ 5 in linguistics▸ + PHRASES1. ) intransitive or transitive to know what someone or something means: COMPREHEND:If you don't understand, just put your hand up.The instructions were difficult to understand.I don't understand a word you're saying.understand what/where/whether etc.: I don't quite understand where you want me to put it.a ) to know what something spoken or written in a particular language means:I'm sorry, I don't understand French.2. ) intransitive or transitive to know how or why something happens, or what effect or influence something has: REALIZE:Do they fully understand the implications of their decision?understand how/why/what etc.: We are only beginning to understand how the brain functions.3. ) intransitive or transitive to know how someone feels or why someone does something, as a result of experience or by imagining what it must be like to be them:He says his wife doesn't understand him.I understand your concern, but the operation is completely safe.understand how/why/what: Does she understand why he doesn't want to see her?understand someone/someone's doing something: I can understand his not inviting Joan and Graham (=understand why he does not invite them).4. ) transitive FORMAL to believe that something is true because you have heard or read it somewhere:understand that: We understand that a major announcement is to be made tomorrow.be understood to do something: Mr. Lang is understood to favor more traditional teaching methods.5. ) transitive usually passive LINGUISTICS to recognize that a word or phrase is missing in a sentence and that you have to imagine that it is there:The object of the verb is understood with words such as to smoke and to read.be understoodto be agreed without having to be discussed:be understood that: I thought it was understood that you were going to help.(do you) understand? SPOKENused for emphasizing that someone should do what you are telling them:Don't ever try that again! Do you understand?give someone to understand (that) FORMALto tell someone something, or to make them think that something is true:She's been asking to see you, or so I've been given to understand.(is that) understood? SPOKENused for emphasizing, especially in a threatening way, that someone should do what you are telling them:No one is to leave before five. Is that understood?make yourself understoodto know enough of another language to be able to deal with ordinary situations
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.