understanding Meaning & Definition
What Does Understanding Mean?
As a noun, understanding means The act of one that understands or comprehends; the mental process of discernment of meaning. It can also mean Reason or intelligence; ability to grasp the full meaning of knowledge; ability to infer. As an adjective, it means Showing compassion, tolerance, and forbearance; sympathetically aware. As a verb, it means present participle and gerund of understand.
Understanding: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, adjective, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ʌndəˈstandɪŋ// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | apprehension, perceptive and discernment |
| Antonyms | misunderstand |
| Plural | understandings |
| Comparative / superlative | more understanding, most understanding |
Understanding Definition (Noun)
- The act of one that understands or comprehends; the mental process of discernment of meaning.
There are certain things that defy human understanding.
- Reason or intelligence; ability to grasp the full meaning of knowledge; ability to infer.
She has a solid understanding of particle physics.
- Opinion, judgement, or outlook.
According to my understanding, the situation is quite perilous. I wonder if you see it this way, too.
- An agreement of minds; harmony; something mutually understood or agreed upon.
An informal contract; a mutual agreement.
I thought we had an understanding - you do the dishes, and I throw the trash.
- An informal contract; a mutual agreement.
I thought we had an understanding - you do the dishes, and I throw the trash.
- A reconciliation of differences.
The parties of the negotiation have managed to come to an understanding.
- Sympathy.
He showed much understanding for my problems when he heard about my past.
- Legs or feet.
Understanding as an Adjective
- Showing compassion, tolerance, and forbearance; sympathetically aware.
(Can we add an example for this sense?)
- Knowing; skilful.
Understanding as a Verb
- present participle and gerund of understand
Verb
- To grasp a concept fully and thoroughly, especially (of words, statements, art, etc.) to be aware of the meaning of and (of people) to be aware of the intent of.
I'm sorry. I don't understand.
- To believe, to think one grasps sufficiently despite potentially incomplete knowledge.
I understand that you have a package for me?
- (obsolete outside circus, acrobatics) To stand underneath, to support.
Noun
- (gerund) The act of one that understands or comprehends; comprehension; knowledge; discernment.
- An agreement of minds; harmony; something mutually understood or agreed upon.
Adjective
- Showing compassion.
Synonyms of Understanding
Antonyms of Understanding
Understanding in a Sentence
There are certain things that defy human understanding.
She has a solid understanding of particle physics.
According to my understanding, the situation is quite perilous. I wonder if you see it this way, too.
I thought we had an understanding - you do the dishes, and I throw the trash.
The parties of the negotiation have managed to come to an understanding.
He showed much understanding for my problems when he heard about my past.
(Can we add an example for this sense?)
I'm sorry. I don't understand.
I understand that you have a package for me?
Word Forms & Grammar
understanding (countable and uncountable, plural understandings)
understanding (comparative more understanding, superlative most understanding)
understanding
Words That Rhyme With Understanding
Origin of Understanding
Origin 1: From Middle English understandinge, understondinge, from Old English understanding (“intelligence, understanding”), from Proto-West Germanic *undarstandingu, from Proto-Germanic *understandingō, equivalent to understand + -ing (gerund ending). Cognate with Middle Dutch onderstaninge, Middle Low German understandinge, Middle High German understandunge.
Origin 2: 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).
Understanding Pronunciation
The standard pronunciation of understanding is //ʌndəˈstandɪŋ//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Understanding
Is understanding a noun or an adjective?
Understanding is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective and a verb.
What is another word for understanding?
Words with a similar meaning to understanding include apprehension, perceptive and discernment. See the full list of understanding synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of understanding?
The opposite of understanding is misunderstand.
What is the plural of understanding?
The plural of understanding is understandings.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of understanding?
The comparative form is more understanding and the superlative form is most understanding.
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