Definition of "understand" in English

verb

1. (transitive, intransitive, of communication or means of communication: words, statements, signs, etc.) To know the meaning of; to parse or have parsed correctly; to comprehend.

   • Can you repeat what you just said? I didn't understand.

2. (transitive, of a skill, task, profession, etc.) To be thoroughly familiar with; to be able to undertake properly.

   • The students understood the assignment.

3. (transitive, usually with clause as object) To comprehend a fact or principle; to regard or come to regard a belief as such.

   • I understand that company policy says I can't get a refund, but can you make an exception?
   • There's been no formal declaration, but it's understood that a state of war exists between the two countries

4. (transitive, of people) To know the intent, motives or character of; (of events) to know the causes of or reasons for.

   • One day you say you love me, the next you ignore me—I don't understand you!

5. (transitive) To believe or infer, to think one grasps sufficiently despite potentially incomplete knowledge.

   • I've been given to understand that you have a package for me?
   • At least four people are understood to have been injured.

6. (transitive, grammar) To regard as present when not.

   • In the imperative mood, the word “you” is usually understood.

7. (humorous, rare, obsolete outside circus, acrobatics) To stand underneath, to support.

interjection

1. (Singapore, Malaysia, backchanneling) Uh-huh, I see; a way to acknowledge something said by the other speaker.