understand

Universal Words (not used in the progressive tenses) meaning 1 to know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what sb says, etc: [VN] Can you understand French? * Do you understand the instructions? * She didn't understand the form she was signing. * [V] I'm not sure that I understand. Go over it again. * (figurative) I don't want you doing that again. Do you understand? * [Vwh-] I don't understand what he's saying. how sth works / happens 2 to know or realize how or why sth happens, how it works or why it is important: [VN] Doctors still don't understand much about the disease. * No one is answering the phone-I can't understand it. * [Vwh-] I could never understand why she was fired. * They're too young to understand what is happening. * [VN-ing] I just can't understand him taking the money. * (formal) I just can't understand his taking the money. [also Vthat, V] know sb 3 to know sb's character, how they feel and why they behave in the way they do: [VN] Nobody understands me. * He doesn't understand women at all. * We understand each other, even if we don't always agree. * [Vwh-] They understand what I have been through. * I understand how hard things have been for you. * [Vthat] I quite understand that you need some time alone. * [VN-ing] I quite understand you needing some time alone. * [V] If you want to leave early, I'm sure he'll understand. think / believe 4 (formal) to think or believe that sth is true because you have been told that it is: [V(that)] I understand (that) you wish to see the manager. * Am I to understand that you refuse? * [VNtoinf] The Prime Minister is understood to have been extremely angry about the report. * [VNthat] It is understood that the band are working on their next album. be agreed 5 [VN(that)] [usuallypassive] to agree sth with sb without it needing to be said: I thought it was understood that my expenses would be paid. missing word 6 [VN] [usuallypassive] to realize that a word in a phrase or sentence is not expressed and to supply it in your mind: In the sentence 'I can't drive', the object 'a car' is understood. IDIOMS make yourself understood to make your meaning clear, especially in another language: He doesn't speak much Japanese but he can make himself understood. moreatGIVEv.