fathom crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're looking for answers to the "fathom crossword clue," you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of solutions, categorized by their letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "fathom crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
GRASP: To understand something fully, especially a complex idea.
GAUGE: To estimate or determine the amount, level, or content of something; also to measure depth.
SOUND: To measure the depth of water or the seabed, often using a sounding line. A direct link to 'fathom' as a unit of depth.
6 Letters
DIVINE: To discover (something) by guesswork or intuition; to perceive by insight.
9 Letters
APPREHEND: To grasp mentally; understand. Often used in the context of understanding a concept or situation.
10 Letters
UNDERSTAND: To perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of. This is a very common synonym for fathom in a cognitive sense.
More About "fathom crossword clue"
The word "fathom" is particularly interesting in crosswords because it carries a dual meaning, both as a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means to understand something deeply or to penetrate the meaning of something. This is where answers like GRASP, UNDERSTAND, and COMPREHEND come into play. It implies a sense of deep intellectual penetration, trying to get to the bottom of a complex issue.
However, "fathom" also refers to a unit of depth, traditionally six feet, used primarily for measuring water depth in marine contexts. This noun form directly relates to the act of "sounding" the depth, which is why answers like SOUND or GAUGE can be valid. When you see "fathom" in a clue, always consider if the puzzle setter is leaning towards the cognitive meaning or the physical measurement meaning. The surrounding clues or the type of crossword (e.g., cryptic vs. standard) might offer hints.
Solving clues like "fathom" requires an appreciation for the subtle nuances of the English language. Crossword compilers often play on polysemous words (words with multiple meanings) to make puzzles more challenging and engaging. By understanding both facets of "fathom," you can more quickly narrow down the possibilities and fill in those tricky blanks.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Dual Meanings: Many words, like 'fathom', have multiple meanings. Always think if the clue is referring to a common usage, a more obscure definition, or even a homophone.
- Check Letter Count First: Before anything else, always confirm the number of letters required for the answer. This immediately eliminates many possibilities and guides your thought process.
- Look at Intersecting Letters: Use letters from already solved intersecting words. These fixed letters are your best friends, often revealing the correct answer when you're stuck.
- Think Synonyms and Antonyms: If the clue implies a concept, brainstorm synonyms or even antonyms (if the clue has an indicator like "opposite of").
- Context is Key: Is it a general knowledge clue, a wordplay clue, or does it hint at a specific field (e.g., nautical terms for 'fathom')? The context can often narrow down your options significantly.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'fathom' mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, 'fathom' can typically refer to two main meanings: to understand something deeply (e.g., GRASP, COMPREHEND) or to measure the depth of water (e.g., SOUND, GAUGE), as a fathom is also a unit of marine depth (six feet).
How many letters do 'fathom' answers usually have?
Answers for 'fathom' can vary widely in length, from shorter words like GRASP (5 letters) or SOUND (5 letters) to longer ones like UNDERSTAND (10 letters) or COMPREHEND (10 letters). Always check the given letter count in your puzzle.
Are there common synonyms for 'fathom' that appear in crosswords?
Yes, common synonyms include 'grasp', 'understand', 'comprehend', 'gauge', 'sound', and 'discern'. The specific answer depends on the context of the puzzle and the number of letters required.