understanding
/,ʌndə'stændiɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- The mental process of comprehending or grasping meaning: The ability to perceive and interpret information, ideas, or situations correctly.
- A mutual agreement or informal contract: A usually informal arrangement or consensus between parties.
- Sympathetic awareness or tolerance: A compassionate or tolerant grasp of another's feelings or situation.
Adjective:
- Characterized by comprehension, insight, or sympathy: Showing an ability to understand things deeply or to be empathetic.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- Her understanding of quantum physics is impressive. (This demonstrates her comprehension of the subject.)
- We have an understanding that we will share the costs equally. (This refers to a mutual agreement.)
- He listened with great understanding to her problems. (This shows sympathetic awareness.)
Adjective:
- She gave me an understanding smile when I explained my mistake. (This describes a look showing empathy and comprehension.)
Advanced Usage
- "On the understanding that...": Used to introduce a condition upon which an agreement is based.
- I lent him the book on the understanding that he would return it next week.
- "A tacit understanding": An agreement that is implied or understood without being formally stated.
- There was a tacit understanding that the project was confidential.
Variants and Related Words
- Understand (verb): To perceive the meaning, significance, or nature of something.
- I understand your instructions.
- Misunderstanding (noun): A failure to understand correctly; a disagreement or quarrel.
- The argument was based on a simple misunderstanding.
- Understandable (adjective): Able to be understood; reasonable or expected.
- His frustration is perfectly understandable.
Synonyms
- Noun (Comprehension): Grasp, apprehension, insight.
- Noun (Agreement): Arrangement, pact, accord.
- Adjective: Compassionate, sympathetic, discerning.
Related Phrases
- To come to an understanding: To reach an agreement.
- After a long discussion, they finally came to an understanding.
- Beyond understanding: Impossible or very difficult to comprehend.
- The cruelty of the act was beyond understanding.
Related Idioms
- A meeting of the minds: An understanding or agreement between people.
- After negotiating, they achieved a meeting of the minds on the contract terms.
Adjective
- characterized by understanding based on comprehension and discernment and empathy
- an understanding friend
Noun
- 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
- 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
- the statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises
- they had an agreement that they would not interfere in each other's business
- there was an understanding between management and the workers
- the cognitive condition of someone who understands
- he has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect