understandable Meaning & Definition
What Does Understandable Mean?
As a verb, understandable means to grasp the meaning of. It is also used to mean to grasp the reasonableness of. As an adverb, it means as can be easily understood.
Understandable: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˌən-dər-ˈstand/ |
| Syllables | 3 |
| Synonyms | meaningful, comprehensible and intelligible |
| Antonyms | incoherent, incomprehensible and inscrutable |
| Comparative / superlative | more understandable, most understandable |
| First known use | 1921 |
Understandable Definition (Verb)
- to grasp the meaning of
understand Russian / I don't understand these directions.
- to grasp the reasonableness of
His behavior is hard to understand.
- to have thorough or technical acquaintance with or expertness in the practice of
understand finance
- to be thoroughly familiar with the character and propensities of
understands children
- to feel sympathy for someone's feelings or situation
I've been in your situation, so I understand what you're going through.
- to accept as a fact or truth or regard as plausible without utter certainty
We understand that he is returning from abroad. / You have to understand that I had no choice.
- to interpret in one of a number of possible ways
I understood the response to be an acceptance of the offer.
- to supply in thought as though expressed
"to be married" is commonly understood after the word "engaged"
- to have understanding : have the power of comprehension
a child too young to understand
- to achieve a grasp of the nature, significance, or explanation of something
He told me what to do and I think I understand.
- to believe or infer something to be the case
"Are they coming?" "That's what I understand."
- to show a sympathetic or tolerant attitude toward something
Don't worry about being late. We understand.
Understandable as an Adverb
- as can be easily understood : for understandable reasons
is understandably nervous
Synonyms of Understandable
Antonyms of Understandable
Understandable in a Sentence
understand Russian
I don't understand these directions.
His behavior is hard to understand.
understand finance
understands children
I've been in your situation, so I understand what you're going through.
We understand that he is returning from abroad.
You have to understand that I had no choice.
I understood the response to be an acceptance of the offer.
"to be married" is commonly understood after the word "engaged"
a child too young to understand
He told me what to do and I think I understand.
"Are they coming?" "That's what I understand."
Don't worry about being late. We understand.
is understandably nervous
with understandable pain and anger, the victim's family lashed out at the convicted murderer
I think I understand how an engine works now
after a few weeks in Russia I began to understand the language a little bit
as I understand it, this is the best plan that we have
understand Russian / I don't understand these directions.
We understand that he is returning from abroad. / You have to understand that I had no choice.
Word Forms & Grammar
un·der·stood
un·der·stand·ing
un·der·stand·abil·i·ty noun
un·der·stand·able adjective
understand
understandabilities
understandability
understandable
understanding
understands
understood
understandably
understandable (comparative more understandable, superlative most understandable)
Words That Rhyme With Understandable
Origin of Understandable
Origin 1: Middle English, from Old English understandan, from under + standan to stand
Origin 2: From Middle English understondable, equivalent to understand + -able.
First Known Use
before 12th centuryt
circa 1921
How to Pronounce Understandable
You say understandable as /ˌən-dər-ˈstand/. It has 3 syllables, with the main stress on the third syllable (stand).
Quick Answers About Understandable
Is understandable a verb or an adverb?
Understandable is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as an adverb.
What is another word for understandable?
You can replace understandable with words such as meaningful, comprehensible and intelligible. See the full list of understandable synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of understandable?
Antonyms of understandable include incoherent, incomprehensible, inscrutable and insensible.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of understandable?
The comparative form is more understandable and the superlative form is most understandable.