fathom

Vocabulary Word

Definition

To 'fathom' something means to thoroughly understand it. Like figuring out a very complex puzzle and knowing exactly why the pieces fit together. In a less common usage, it's a unit of measurement for the depth of water.

Examples in Different Contexts

In corporate analysis, to 'fathom' market dynamics is crucial. A market researcher might comment, 'It took months to fully fathom the factors influencing consumer behavior in this segment.'

Practice Scenarios

Impact

Scenario:

The problem of food waste is multi-faceted. Understanding the whole system is necessary before we devise a suitable policy solution.

Response:

Indeed, we need to fathom the intrinsic factors contributing to food waste before we can formulate a solution.

Creative

Scenario:

Our central character's motivations aren't clear yet. Character development is key to making the audience connect with the narrative.

Response:

I will outline a detailed backstory to help us fathom the protagonist's motivations better.