Is 'fathom' formal or informal?

What is the difference between 'fathom' and 'understand'?

Can 'fathom' be used in academic writing?

How do I use 'fathom' in a sentence?

← Dictionary

fathom

/ˈfæð.əm/

IELTSAcademic

verb

To understand something completely, especially something complex or surprising.

The storm's depth is hard to fathom.
Scientists cannot fathom the full impact.

noun

A unit of depth in water, equal to 6 feet (about 1.8 meters).

The lake's fathom is about 20 meters.
Measure the water at a fathom.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: 'fathom' stresses deep mental grasp, stronger than 'guess' or 'sense', but less casual than 'figure out'. It suits serious contexts, unlike the more general 'understand' or the exploratory 'wonder'. Choose 'fathom' when effortful insight is emphasized.

In other languages

Spanish: Comprender / Unidad de profundidad
Japanese: 理解する / 測深の単位
Korean: 이해하다 / 측심의 단위
Vietnamese: Hiểu thấu / Đơn vị đo độ sâu
Chinese: 理解 / 测深单位

Etymology

From Old English 'fæthm', related to the outstretched armspan, showing how body measures became units.

Common phrases

fathom out a problembeyond fathomdeep fathomcannot fathom

Synonyms

understand grasp comprehend figure out fathom out

Frequently asked questions

Is 'fathom' formal or informal?: Is 'fathom' formal or informal?
What is the difference between 'fathom' and 'understand'?: What is the difference between 'fathom' and 'understand'?
Can 'fathom' be used in academic writing?: Can 'fathom' be used in academic writing?
How do I use 'fathom' in a sentence?: How do I use 'fathom' in a sentence?