Word meaning
fathom
verb · FATH-um
What does fathom mean?
Fathom means to understand something difficult after much thought.
Fathom in a sentence
“I can't fathom why anyone would stand in line for six hours.”
Synonyms for fathom
- comprehend
- grasp
- understand
Where does fathom come from?
Originally a unit of length (six feet) based on the span of outstretched arms, used to measure water depth.
How to remember fathom
- Say it out loud a few times: FATH-um.
- Write one sentence of your own using fathom, about something that happened to you today.
- Quiz yourself tomorrow, in three days, and next week. Spaced reviews are what make new words stick.
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