to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend

to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question.

to be thoroughly familiar with; apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of

to understand a trade.

to assign a meaning to; interpret

He understood her suggestion as a complaint.

to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of

He does not understand responsibility.

to regard as firmly communicated; take as agreed or settled

I understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days.

to learn or hear

I understand that you are going out of town.

to accept as true; believe

I understand that you are trying to be truthful, but you are wrong.

to construe in a particular way

You are to understand the phrase literally.

to supply mentally (something that is not expressed).

to perceive what is meant; grasp the information conveyed

She told them about it in simple words, hoping they would understand.

to accept tolerantly or sympathetically

If you can't do it, I'll understand.

to have knowledge or background, as on a particular subject

He understands about boats.

to have a systematic interpretation or rationale, as in a field or area of knowledge

He can repeat every rule in the book, but he just doesn't understand.

verb

misinterpret , misunderstand , disbelieve , mistake

verb

accept , apprehend , be aware , be conscious of , be with it , catch , catch on , conceive , deduce , discern , distinguish , explain , fathom , figure out , find out , follow , get * , get the hang of , get the idea , get the picture , get the point , grasp , have knowledge of , identify with , infer , interpret , ken * , know , learn , make out * , make sense of , master , note , penetrate , perceive , possess , read , realize , recognize , register , savvy * , see , seize , sense , sympathize , take in * , take meaning , toleratenotes:the use of \' appreciate \' should involve valuing something or understanding it sympathetically , and when there is no value or sympathy , use \' recognize \' or \' understand \'; appreciate first meant \'set at a price; appraised\' , assume , be informed , concede , conclude , conjecture , consider , count on , expect , fancy , feel for , gather , guess , hear , imagine , presume , reckon , suppose , surmise , suspect , take for granted , take itnotes:the use of \' appreciate \' should involve valuing something or understanding it sympathetically , compass , comprehend , get , make out , take , take in , deduct , draw , judge , absorb , appreciate , decode , dig , digest , encompass , ken , reason , solve , think