understand meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understand meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the comprehension of a concept, idea, or text. Example: "To fully engage with the text, it is essential to understand meaning beyond the surface level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The press chief for the Berlin Airport Authority says there are rumours something came down over Brandenburg – not the Brandenburg Gate, you understand, meaning that David Hasselhoff's would still be the most famous leather trousers to have bestridden that structure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The UK Literacy Association said the plan was "bonkers" as the purpose of reading was to understand meaning.

BBC

Table 3 MOS grades [32] MOS Quality Quality scale Effort required to understand meaning scale 5 Excellent Imperceptible No effort required 4 Good Perceptible, but not annoying No appreciable effort required 3 Fair Slightly annoying Moderate effort required 2 Poor Annoying Considerable effort required 1 Bad Very annoying No meaning was understood.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The test has minimal memory load and is straightforward to understand, meaning that, with minor modifications, we could use the same test with the ASD children as well as their parents.

Plosone

Eventually they will also understand meaning better.

TechCrunch

"Science seeks explanations for natural phenomena, whereas religion seeks to understand meaning in life".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Plasmas are well understood, meaning that containing the ultra-hot gas is the major obstacle.

The Guardian

We have therefore avoided excessively broad or deep branches and have orientated the ontology around the small number of 'orthogonal axes' (sub-ontologies), each with readily understood meaning.

Bioinformatics

Each cluster was named according to the grouping of its items after discussion and agreement from the authors that these names gave an authentic and easily understood meaning.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

He accused ministers of attempting to "redefine reality" and "dismantle the universally understood meaning of marriage".

BBC

The different terms and their current definition or generally understood meaning are shown in Table 1.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "understand meaning" in academic writing, ensure the context is clear and the subject of understanding is well-defined. For instance, specify what meaning you are referring to: "understand the meaning of the results."

Common error

Avoid using "understand meaning" in contexts where simpler verbs like "know" or "comprehend" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understand meaning" functions primarily as a verb phrase followed by a noun. It describes the act of comprehending or grasping the significance of something. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "understand meaning" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the comprehension of concepts and ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a variety of contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources, indicating its role in conveying clear and precise comprehension. While alternatives like ""grasp the meaning"" and ""comprehend the significance"" exist, "understand meaning" remains a direct and effective way to express the act of making sense of information. When writing, ensure the context is clear and avoid overuse in overly simple situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grasp the meaning

Focuses on seizing or capturing the meaning, implying a more active comprehension.

comprehend the significance

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of what is being understood.

decipher the meaning

Implies an effort to uncover a hidden or obscured meaning.

interpret the meaning

Highlights the act of explaining or translating the meaning.

discern the meaning

Suggests a careful and perceptive understanding.

fathom the meaning

Indicates a deep and thorough understanding, often of something complex.

realize the significance

Highlights becoming aware of the importance or impact of something.

appreciate the meaning

Suggests a valuing or recognition of the meaning's worth.

get the point

A more informal way of expressing understanding the central idea.

see the significance

Focuses on visually perceiving the importance or relevance.

FAQs

How can I use "understand meaning" in a sentence?

You can use "understand meaning" when discussing the comprehension of a concept, idea, or text. For example: "It is essential to "grasp the meaning" beyond the surface level."

What can I say instead of "understand meaning"?

Alternatives include "grasp the meaning", "comprehend the significance", or "interpret the meaning", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "understand the meaning of" or "understand what X means"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "understand what X means" might be more direct and natural in many contexts. "Understand the meaning of" is more appropriate when discussing abstract concepts.

How does "understand meaning" differ from "know the definition"?

"Know the definition" implies a factual recall of a term's definition. "Understand meaning" suggests a deeper comprehension of the implications and context beyond the basic definition.