fathom Definition
- 1understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought
- 2a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters), chiefly used in reference to the depth of water
Using fathom: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "fathom" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
I cannot fathom why he would do such a thing.
Example
It's hard to fathom how much work it takes to run a restaurant.
Example
The ship sank to a depth of 20 fathoms.
fathom Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for fathom
Antonyms for fathom
Phrases with fathom
soundings and fathoms
measurements of the depth of water
Example
The captain ordered soundings and fathoms to be taken regularly.
Example
It took me a while to fathom out the instructions.
Example
The technical jargon was not within my fathom.
Origins of fathom
from Old English 'fæthm', meaning 'outstretched arms'
Summary: fathom in Brief
The term 'fathom' [ˈfæðəm] can be used as a verb to mean understanding a difficult problem or person after much thought, or as a noun to refer to a unit of length equal to six feet, often used to measure the depth of water. It can be used in phrases like 'fathom out,' meaning to understand or solve something complicated, and 'within one's fathom,' meaning able to be understood by someone.