ENGLISH
REFERENCE

understandably

adv. sent.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌəndɝˈstændəbɫi// UK //ˌʌndəstˈændəbli// un·der·stand·ably

adv. used to say that a reaction or feeling is easy to understand or makes sense in a specific situation.

adv. in a manner that is easy to comprehend or justify given the circumstances. Often functions as a disjunct to express the speaker's empathy or logical agreement with a situation.


SIMPLE

She was understandably upset when she lost her keys.

CONTEXTUAL

The passengers were understandably frustrated after their flight was delayed for the third time in one day.

COMPLEX

Having invested his life savings into the venture, he was understandably cautious about signing the new contract without a thorough legal review of the fine print.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From understandable + -ly.

Usage

Sentence adverb — often placed at the beginning of a sentence or before the main adjective to comment on the entire situation.

Pitfall

It is understandably that he is late.It is understandable that he is late.Learners often use the adverb form after 'it is' instead of the adjective 'understandable'.

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