# understood

/ˌəndɝˈstʊd/ (US) · /ˌʌndəstˈʊd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/understood
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. agreed without being said

adjective · CEFR B2

something that is clear or agreed upon without anyone needing to say it out loud.

For teachers: implied or agreed upon without being explicitly stated; often used to describe social rules or expectations.

- It was an understood rule that no one used their phones during dinner.
- There was an understood agreement between the two rivals that they would not discuss politics during the charity gala.

### 3. I hear you

interjection · CEFR B1 · Informal

a short way to say 'I understand' or 'I will do that'.

For teachers: a standalone utterance used to signal comprehension or compliance with an order or explanation.

- "Please finish this report by five o'clock." "Understood."
- "Ensure the perimeter is secure before the guests arrive." "Understood, sir; I will coordinate with the security team immediately."} ]

## Examples

- I understood the instructions perfectly.
- She understood the risks involved in the surgery but decided to proceed anyway for the sake of her health.
- The diplomat understood that the subtle shift in the ambassador's tone signaled a significant change in the nation's foreign policy, even though no formal announcement had been made.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.