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understand
/ˌʌndəˈstænd/ verb [I, T] (past tense and past participle understood)Definition
KNOW MEANING › to know the meaning of something that someone says: I don't understand half of what he says. She didn't understand so I explained it again. I understand written French but I don't speak it very well.
KNOW WHY/HOW › to know why or how something happens or works: [+ question word] We still don't fully understand how the brain works.
KNOW FEELINGS › to know how someone feels or why they behave in a particular way: I don't understand James sometimes. [+ question word] I understand why she's so angry.
I/we understand (that)... formal › used to say that you believe something is true because someone has told you it is: I understand that the school is due to close next year.
make yourself understood › to say something to someone in a way that they understand: I had a little difficulty making myself understood.
(Definition of understand verb from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
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