Read vs Understand - What's the Difference?
Definition as Verb
- interpret something that is written or printed
- look at, interpret, and say out loud something that is written or printed
- interpret the significance of, as of palms, tea leaves, intestines, the sky; also of human behavior
- audition for a stage role by reading parts of a role
- to hear and understand
- be a student of a certain subject
- indicate a certain reading; of gauges and instruments
- have or contain a certain wording or form
- obtain data from magnetic tapes or other digital sources
- interpret something in a certain way; convey a particular meaning or impression
- make sense of a language
Definition as Verb
- know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
- believe to be the case
- make sense of a language
- perceive (an idea or situation) mentally
- be understanding of
Examples
- "the article was a very good read"
- "read the advertisement"; "Have you read Salman Rushdie?"
- "The King will read the proclamation at noon"
- "She read the sky and predicted rain"; "I can't read his strange behavior"; "The fortune teller read his fate in the crystal ball"
- "He is auditioning for `Julius Caesar' at Stratford this year"
- "I read you loud and clear!"
- "She is reading for the bar exam"
- "The thermometer showed thirteen degrees below zero"; "The gauge read `empty'"
- "The passage reads as follows"; "What does the law say?"
- "This dictionary can be read by the computer"
- "I read this address as a satire"; "How should I take this message?"
- "She understands French"; "Can you read Greek?"
- "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means"
- "I understand you have no previous experience?"
- "She understands French"; "Can you read Greek?"
- "Now I see!"; "I just can't see your point"; "Does she realize how important this decision is?"; "I don't understand the idea"
- "You don't need to explain--I understand!"