How to pronounce understand
Say it like uhn-der-STAND. Understand has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (STAND).
- uhn
- der
- STAND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Understand pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- STANDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of understand
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: uhn-duh-STAND.
What does understand mean?
- To know the meaning of; to parse or have parsed correctly; to comprehend.“Can you repeat what you just said? I didn't understand.”
- To know the meaning of.
- To be thoroughly familiar with; to be able to undertake properly.“The students understood the assignment.”
- Uh-huh, I see; a way to acknowledge something said by the other speaker.
Where does understand come from?
From Middle English understanden, from Old English understandan (“to understand”), from Proto-West Germanic *understandan (“to stand between, understand”), from Proto-Germanic *understandaną (“to stand between, understand”), equivalent to O
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with understand
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of understand.
Questions about saying understand
How do you pronounce understand?
Say uhn-der-STAND. The American pronunciation is /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/. In British English it is /ˌʌndəˈstænd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in understand?
Understand has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (STAND). Broken into parts: uhn · der · STAND.
Is understand pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌʌndəˈstænd/ (uhn-duh-STAND).