Comprehend vs. Understand: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 29, 2023
Comprehend generally implies a deeper level of understanding, often involving integration of knowledge. Understand usually means grasping the meaning, reason, or significance of something.
Key Differences
Comprehend and understand are terms often used interchangeably, but they carry subtle distinctions. To comprehend something typically means you've not only grasped it but have also internalized its complexities. Understand usually implies a more surface-level grasping of information or concepts.
In the realm of academics, for instance, a student may understand the basic principles of a theorem. However, it would be more accurate to say the student comprehends the theorem if they can also apply it in various complex situations. Thus, comprehend can imply a more holistic, in-depth grasp.
Similarly, one might understand the words of a foreign language but not necessarily comprehend the cultural nuances behind them. Comprehend would imply a deeper, more integrated level of understanding, taking into account additional layers of complexity.
Understand often precedes comprehend in the learning process. For example, you may understand the basic rules of a game; it's only when you comprehend the strategies involved that you can excel at it. While understand implies the 'what' and 'how,' comprehend may extend to 'why,' 'when,' and 'where.'
Comprehend is sometimes used in formal settings or scientific contexts to emphasize the depth or complexity of the understanding. Understand is more commonly used in everyday speech and writing, marking it as the more colloquial term between the two.
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Comparison Chart
Depth of Knowledge
Deeper, integrated
More surface-level
Usage Context
More formal
More colloquial
Complexity
Implies intricacies
Generally simpler
Learning Process
Often follows understanding
Often precedes comprehension
Flexibility in Language
Less flexible
More flexible
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Comprehend and Understand Definitions
Comprehend
To take in information and understand its meaning.
It took me a while to comprehend the instructions.
Understand
To infer something from information received.
I understand that you will be leaving soon.
Comprehend
To grasp fully with the mind.
I couldn't comprehend his advanced theories.
Understand
To perceive the intended meaning.
I understand the basics of the project.
Comprehend
To perceive or discern.
She could not comprehend the magnitude of the disaster.
Understand
To have a sympathetic awareness.
I understand how you feel.
Comprehend
To encompass or include.
The manual comprehends all aspects of the machine.
Understand
To have knowledge or background in a subject.
She understands mathematics well.
Comprehend
To accept or understand something as a fact.
He couldn't comprehend that he had lost.
Understand
To interpret or view something in a particular way.
Is that how you understand the situation?
Comprehend
To take in the meaning, nature, or importance of; grasp.
Understand
To become aware of the nature and significance of; know or comprehend
She understands the difficulty involved.
Comprehend
To have as part of something larger; encompass or include.
Understand
To become aware of the intended meaning of (a person or remark, for example)
We understand what they're saying.
We just disagree with it. When he began describing his eccentric theories, we could no longer understand him.
Comprehend
To include, comprise; to contain.
Understand
To know and be tolerant or sympathetic toward
Hoped that they would understand my complaint.
Comprehend
To understand or grasp fully and thoroughly.
Understand
To know thoroughly by close contact or long experience with
That teacher understands children. I understand the basics of car repair.
Comprehend
To contain; to embrace; to include; as, the states comprehended in the Austrian Empire.
Who hath . . . comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure.
Understand
To learn indirectly or infer, as from hearsay
I understand his departure was unexpected. Am I to understand you are staying the night?.
Comprehend
To take in or include by construction or implication; to comprise; to imply.
Comprehended all in this one word, Discretion.
And if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying.
Understand
To assume to be or accept as agreed
It is understood that the fee will be $50.
Comprehend
To take into the mind; to grasp with the understanding; to apprehend the meaning of; to understand.
At a loss to comprehend the question.
Great things doeth he, which we can not comprehend.
Understand
To supply or add (words or a meaning, for example) mentally
A verb is understood at the end of the statement "Yes, let's.".
Comprehend
Get the meaning of something;
Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?
Understand
To have understanding, knowledge, or comprehension.
Comprehend
To become aware of through the senses;
I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon
Understand
To have sympathy or tolerance
You're upset. I understand.
Comprehend
Include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory;
This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds
This should cover everyone in the group
Understand
To learn something indirectly or secondhand; gather.
Understand
(transitive) To grasp a concept fully in one's mind, especially (of words, statements, art, etc.) to be aware of the meaning of and (of people) to be aware of the intent of.
I'm sorry. I don't understand.
Please try to understand. It's not you, it's me.
Understand
To believe, to think one grasps sufficiently despite potentially incomplete knowledge.
I understand that you have a package for me?
In the imperative mood, the word “you” is usually understood.
Understand
To stand underneath, to support.
Understand
To have just and adequate ideas of; to apprehended the meaning or intention of; to have knowledge of; to comprehend; to know; as, to understand a problem in Euclid; to understand a proposition or a declaration; the court understands the advocate or his argument; to understand the sacred oracles; to understand a nod or a wink.
Speaketh [i. e., speak thou] so plain at this time, I you pray,That we may understande what ye say.
I understand not what you mean by this.
Understood not all was but a show.
A tongue not understanded of the people.
Understand
To be apprised, or have information, of; to learn; to be informed of; to hear; as, I understand that Congress has passed the bill.
Understand
To recognize or hold as being or signifying; to suppose to mean; to interpret; to explain.
The most learned interpreters understood the words of sin, and not of Abel.
Understand
To mean without expressing; to imply tacitly; to take for granted; to assume.
War, then, war,Open or understood, must be resolved.
Understand
To stand under; to support.
Understand
To have the use of the intellectual faculties; to be an intelligent being.
Imparadised in you, in whom aloneI understand, and grow, and see.
Understand
To be informed; to have or receive knowledge.
I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah.
Understand
Know and comprehend the nature or meaning of;
She did not understand her husband
I understand what she means
Understand
Perceive (an idea or situation) mentally;
Now I see!
I just can't see your point
Does she realize how important this decision is?
I don't understand the idea
Understand
Make sense of a language;
She understands French
Can you read Greek?
Understand
Believe to be the case;
I understand you have no previous experience?
Understand
Be understanding of;
You don't need to explain--I understand!
FAQs
Is comprehend more formal?
Yes, comprehend is generally more formal and is often used in academic or scientific contexts.
Are comprehend and understand interchangeable?
While similar, they are not fully interchangeable; comprehend often implies a deeper level of understanding.
What does understand mean?
Understand means to grasp the meaning, reason, or significance of something.
Can you comprehend without understanding?
Generally, no. Understanding is often a prerequisite for comprehension.
Can you understand a language but not comprehend its nuances?
Yes, you can understand the words but may not comprehend cultural or contextual nuances.
What comes first, understanding or comprehension?
Typically, one understands before one comprehends. Understanding is often a stepping stone to comprehension.
Is understand more common in daily language?
Yes, understand is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
What does comprehend mean?
Comprehend means to fully grasp or understand something, often at a deeper level.
Can you understand without comprehending?
Yes, it's possible to understand something at a surface level without fully comprehending its complexities.
Does understand imply simplicity?
Not necessarily, but it generally refers to a more surface-level grasp of information.
Is comprehend used in legal or scientific documents?
Yes, it's often used in formal contexts to emphasize depth or complexity.
Is comprehend about depth?
Generally, yes. To comprehend usually means to have a deep, integrated understanding.
Does comprehend involve application?
Often, yes. Comprehending often implies the ability to apply knowledge in various contexts.
Can understand refer to emotional states?
Yes, one can understand how someone feels, implying a sympathetic awareness.
Are comprehend and understand synonyms?
They are close in meaning but are not perfect synonyms due to the depth and context often implied by comprehend.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
