Meaning of the word fathom in English
What does fathom mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
fathom
US /ˈfæð.əm/
UK /ˈfæð.əm/
Verb
1.
understand a difficult problem or a mysterious person after much thought
Example:
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I can't fathom why she would do such a thing.
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He struggled to fathom the complex instructions.
2.
measure the depth of (water)
Example:
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The crew used a lead line to fathom the depth of the harbor.
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It took several attempts to accurately fathom the ocean floor.
Noun
a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters), chiefly used in reference to the depth of water
Example:
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The shipwreck was found at a depth of 100 fathoms.
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The chart indicated a water depth of 20 fathoms.