Looking for the meaning of the word FATHOMS in English for both noun and verb forms from the Oxford Dictionary? Below, you can explore all possible meanings and definitions of FATHOMS with sentence examples. You can also use the “AUDIO PRONUNCIATION” track to check the correct pronunciation in British English.
Word: Fathom
Speech Type: Noun
Old English fæthm, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vadem, vaam and German Faden ‘six feet’. The original sense was ‘something which embraces’, (plural) ‘the outstretched arms’; hence, a unit of measurement based on the span of the outstretched arms, later standardized to six feet
ˈfað(ə)m
a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 metres), chiefly used in reference to the depth of water
Short Definition:unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 metres), chiefly used in reference to depth of water
Examples:- sonar says that we're in eighteen fathoms
Word: Fathom
Speech Type: Verb
ˈfað(ə)m
understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought
Short Definition:understand difficult problem or enigmatic person after much thought
Examples:- the locals could not fathom out the reason behind his new-found prosperity
- he couldn't fathom why she was being so anxious
measure the depth of (water)
Short Definition:measure depth of
Examples:- an attempt to fathom the ocean
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