fathom

//ˈfæð.əm//
C1Frequency Level 11Neutral
Visual representation of fathom

Noun

fathomSingular
fathomsPlural
1

A unit of length equal to six feet (approximately 1.83 meters), used especially for measuring the depth of water.

The shipwreck lies at a depth of twenty fathoms.

Verb

fathomInfinitive
fathomPresent tense
fathomedPast tense
fathomedPast participle
fathomingPresent participle
fathomsThird-person singular
1

To understand something completely, especially something difficult or mysterious.

I cannot fathom why she made that decision.

2

To measure the depth of water.

The sailors fathomed the harbor before anchoring.