Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense fathoms, present participle fathoming, past tense, past participle fathomed
1. countable noun
A fathom is a measurement of 1.8 metres or 6 feet, used when referring to the depth of water.
We sailed into the bay and dropped anchor in five fathoms of water.
2. verb [no cont]
If you cannot fathom something, you are unable to understand it, although you think carefully about it.
I really couldn't fathom what Steiner was talking about. [VERB wh]
Jeremy's passive attitude was hard to fathom. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: understand, grasp, comprehend, interpret More Synonyms of fathom
Fathom out means the same as fathom.
We're trying to fathom out what's going on. [VERBPARTICLE wh]
I'm having difficulty using my new camera and can't fathom out all its functions. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
More Synonyms of fathom
fathom in British English
(ˈfæðəm)
noun
1.
a unit of length equal to six feet (1.829 metres), used to measure depths of water
2. mining
a unit of volume usually equal to six cubic feet, used in measuring ore bodies
3. forestry
a unit of volume equal to six cubic feet, used for measuring timber
verb(transitive)
4.
to measure the depth of, esp with a sounding line; sound
5.
to penetrate (a mystery, problem, etc); discover the meaning of
Derived forms
fathomable (ˈfathomable)
adjective
fathomer (ˈfathomer)
noun
Word origin
Old English fæthm; related to Old Frisian fethem outstretched arms, Old Norse fathmr embrace, Old High German fadum cubit, Latin patēre to gape
fathom in American English
(ˈfæðəm)
noun
1.
a unit of length used to measure the depth of water or the length of a nautical rope or cable, equal to 6 ft (1.8288 m)
verb transitive
2.
to measure the depth of; sound
3.
to get to the bottom of; understand thoroughly
Derived forms
fathomable (ˈfathomable)
adjective
Word origin
ME fadme < OE fæthm (akin to OFris fethm, OS pl. fathmōs), the two arms outstretched (to embrace, measure), akin to Ger faden, thread < IE base *pet-, to stretch out > L patere, to stretch out
Examples of 'fathom' in a sentence
fathom
Why did he fathom the depths of her mind when she barely understood them herself?
Christina Dodd SOMEDAY MY PRINCE (1999)
It is impossible to fathom such depths of sheer callousness.
The Sun (2013)
But pals say she has struggled to fathom the depths of his betrayal.
The Sun (2010)
He could not fathom the depths of her reserve but determined he would test it well before the night was out.
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss THE WOLF AND THE DOVE
I can't really fathom it at the minute.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But you can't really begin to fathom it until you're actually there.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
How can a non-executive be expected to fathom the depths of Congolese mining rights?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Equally, no plumb line can fathom the depths of my misery at sitting through this overlong, mediocre serial.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It retains this same transformative power today, but one has to hear it and do it to fathom fully its life-changing power.
Christianity Today (2000)
But I can't really fathom it.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
fathom
British English: fathom NOUN
A fathom is a measurement of 1.8 metres or 6 feet, used when referring to the depth of water.
We sailed into the bay and dropped anchor in five fathoms of water.