fathom (C1)

verb

Pronunciation: /ˈfæðəm/

Definition

To understand a difficult problem or a mysterious person after much thought, or to measure the depth of water.

Examples

• I could not fathom why he suddenly quit his well-paying job.

• The scientists used sonar to fathom the true depth of the Mariana Trench.

• It's hard to fathom the sheer scale of the universe.

How to Use fathom

fathom out (phrasal verb)

To figure out or solve a complicated problem or mystery. — "It took him hours to fathom out how the new software worked."

Synonyms of fathom

Words with a similar meaning to fathom:

• understand
• comprehend
• grasp
• decipher

Antonyms of fathom

Words with the opposite meaning to fathom:

• misunderstand
• confuse

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