understand
gb/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/ us/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
A2
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Comprehend the meaning
To know what something means when you read, hear, or see it.
Usage pattern:
to understand [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'understand' with 'know', but 'understand' focuses on comprehension, not just possession of information.
Synonyms
comprehend (Slightly more formal; often used in academic or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
misunderstand (To interpret something incorrectly or fail to grasp its true meaning.)
Collocations
understand the question
|understand the meaning
|fully understand
|easily understand
|understand instructions
Themes
communication
|learning
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I don't understand what you're saying.
- She quickly understood the teacher's explanation.
- Do you understand the rules of the game?
- He didn't understand the joke.
- It's important to understand the instructions before starting.
Learner examples
- I understand this word.
- Do you understand me?
- She understands the story.
- We understand the rules.
- I don't understand this sentence.
Verb
B1
action
2
Be aware or informed
To know that something is true or happening.
Usage pattern:
to understand (that) [clause]
Synonyms
realize (Emphasizes sudden awareness or discovery, while 'understand' may imply prior knowledge.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not pay attention to a fact or situation.)
Collocations
understand that
|as I understand it
|I understand from
|understand correctly
Themes
knowledge
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I understand that you're leaving soon.
- As I understand it, the meeting starts at 9.
- We understand from your letter that you are unhappy with our service.
- He understands the risks involved in this job.
Learner examples
- I understand that you are busy.
- We understand the problem.
- She understands that it is late.
- I understand from you that he is sick.
Verb
B1
action
3
Sympathize with someone's feelings
To know how someone feels because you have felt the same way or can imagine it.
Usage pattern:
to understand [someone/someone's feelings]
Synonyms
empathize (Focuses on sharing and feeling another person's emotions deeply.)
Antonyms
disregard (To fail to consider or care about someone’s feelings.)
Collocations
understand each other
|try to understand
|hard to understand someone
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I understand how difficult this must be for you.
- She really understands me.
- They tried to understand his point of view.
- He doesn't understand why I'm upset.
Learner examples
- I understand your problem.
- She understands my feelings.
- We try to understand each other.
- He understands why I am sad.
Verb
B2
action
4
Interpret in a certain way
To think that something means a certain thing.
Usage pattern:
to understand [something] as [something]
Synonyms
interpret (Often used more broadly for explaining the meaning of complex or artistic material.)
Antonyms
misinterpret (To assign an incorrect meaning.)
Collocations
understand something as meaning
|be understood to mean
Themes
interpretation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His words were understood as a threat.
- The term should be understood in a legal context.
- I understood her silence as agreement.
Learner examples
- I understood his words as a joke.
- She understood the note as a warning.
- We understood his look as 'yes'.
Grammar
Dictionary form
understand
IPA
GB/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
US/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
Syllables & stress
un - der - stand (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (der)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: understand
- 3rd Person Singular: understands
- Present Participle: understanding
- Past: understood
- Past Participle: understood
Word family
Forms
understands
verb
understanding
verb
understood
verb
Core family
understandable
adjective B1
Related words
understandably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
misunderstand
verb B1
misunderstanding
noun
Highlights
- Irregular past: understood Verb
- Irregular past participle: understood Verb
Expressions
as I understand it
1/ˈæz ˈaɪ ˌʌndɚstˈænd ˈɪt/
fixed phrase
My interpretation of information
Used to say what you think is true based on what you know now.
Examples
- As I understand it, we need to finish by Friday.
- As I understand it, she's moving abroad next year.
do you understand what I'm saying?
1/dˈu jˈu ˌʌndɚstˈænd wˈʌt ˈaɪm sˈeɪɪŋ ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
Check listener comprehension of speech
Used to check if someone knows what you mean when you talk to them.
Examples
- I'm not going to lend him money again, do you understand what I'm saying?
- This is dangerous, do you understand what I'm saying?
do you understand?
1/dˈu jˈu ˌʌndɚstˈænd ‖/
fixed phrase
Asking if someone comprehends
Used to ask if someone knows what you mean or can follow your instructions.
Examples
- This is very important—do you understand?
- You must be here on time, do you understand?
make yourself understood
1/mˈeɪk jʊɹsˈɛlf ˌʌndɚstˈʊd/
fixed phrase
Communicate so others get it
To say something in a way that people can understand you.
Examples
- He spoke slowly to make himself understood.
- It's hard to make yourself understood in a noisy room.