Link Centre Dictionary

understanding

un·ders·tan·ding

UK/ʌndəˈstandɪŋ/ US/ˌʌndɚˈstændɪŋ/ common
noun (4) adjective (1)

noun

1.

the cognitive condition of someone who understands

  • “he has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect”
Synonyms
2.

the statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises

  • “they had an agreement that they would not interfere in each other”
  • “;”
Synonyms
3.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

  • “his sympathies were always with the underdog”
  • “I knew I could count on his understanding”
Synonyms
4.

the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination

  • “we are told that man is endowed with reason and capable of distinguishing good from evil”
Synonyms

adjective

1.

characterized by understanding based on comprehension and discernment and empathy

  • “an understanding friend”
Similar

Origin

From Middle English understandyng, understondynge, understondinde, undirstondend, understandande, from Old English understandende, from Proto-West Germanic *undarstandandī, from Proto-Germanic *understandandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic *understandaną (“to stand between, intercede, understand”), equivalent to understand + -ing (present participle ending).

Phrases

  • according to one's understanding
  • memorandum of understanding
  • mutual understanding
  • natural language understanding
  • peace that passeth understanding

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.