Search
Select the dictionary language
to fathom
01
to understand and make sense of something after giving it a lot of thought
Transitive: to fathom a concept or idea
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
fathom
3rd person singular
fathoms
Present participle
fathoming
Past simple
fathomed
Past participle
fathomed
Examples
The novel 's intricate plot required readers to fathom the characters' motivations.
02
to measure how deep something, like water, is
Transitive: to fathom a body of water
Examples
They had to fathom the lake to ensure the boat could safely navigate.
Fathom
01
a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
fathoms
02
(mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in measuring bodies of ore
