understand

Meaning

Verb

• To grasp a concept fully and thoroughly, especially to be aware of the meaning of and to be aware of the intent of.
• To believe, to think one grasps sufficiently despite potentially incomplete knowledge.
• To stand underneath, to support.

Related

Similar words

• apprehend, comprehend, grasp, know, perceive, pick up what someone is putting down, realise, grok
• believe

Opposite words

• misunderstand

Origin

• From Middle English understanden, from Old English understandan, from Proto-Germanic *under + *standaną, equivalent to Old English under- + standan. Cognate with Old Frisian understonda, Old High German understantan, Middle Danish understande. Compare also Saterland Frisian understunda, unnerstounde, Dutch onderstaan, German unterstehen. More at inter-, stand.