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Definition understand in British English

understand verb

verb
/ˌʌndə(r)ˈstænd/

➡ intelligence, knowledge, mind, opinion

1

to know what someone or something means

Example

If you don't understand, just put your hand up.

Example

The instructions were difficult to understand.

Example

I don't understand a word you're saying.

Example

Luke nodded as if he understood perfectly.

Example

I don't quite understand where you want me to put it.

Synonyms and related words
understand know work out
1.1

to know what something spoken or written in a particular language means

Example

I'm sorry, I don't understand French.

Synonyms and related words
understand know work out
2

to know how or why something happens, or what effect or influence something has

Example

Do they fully understand the implications of their decision?

Example

We are only beginning to understand how the brain functions.

Example

Please try to understand that we want the best for you.

Synonyms and related words
understand know work out
3

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

Example

He says his wife doesn't understand him.

Example

I understand your concern, but the operation is completely safe.

Example

I can understand your reluctance to talk about what happened.

Example

Does she understand why he doesn't want to see her?

Example

I can understand him not inviting Joan (=understand why he does not invite her).

Synonyms and related words
understand know work out
4

to believe that something is true because you have heard or read it somewhere

Example

We understand that a major announcement is to be made tomorrow.

Example

Mr Lang is understood to favour more traditional teaching methods.

Example

It is understood that £2.5 million has been set aside to develop the scheme.

Synonyms and related words
think believe in suppose
5

to recognize that a word or phrase is missing in a sentence and that you have to imagine that it is there

Example

The object of the verb is understood with words such as 'to smoke' and 'to read'.

Synonyms and related words
make out interpret perceive
Definition understand in British English