understanding
uhn-duh-STANDIHNG
Understanding (noun) means the mental grasp of what something means or how it works. Example: “Reading widely gave him a deeper understanding of how the economy works.”
noun
1
The mental grasp of what something means or how it works.
"Reading widely gave him a deeper understanding of how the economy works."
"Her understanding of physics helped her fix the machine."
"He has a basic understanding of French but can't hold a full conversation."
2
An informal agreement between people.
"We have an understanding that nobody leaves the office before six."
"There was a quiet understanding between the neighbours about sharing the driveway."
"They reached an understanding about how to split the bills."
adjective
1
Showing sympathy and willingness to tolerate someone's situation or mistakes.
"The teacher was very understanding when I handed in my work late."
"It helps to have an understanding friend when you are feeling low."
"Her boss was understanding when she needed time off for the funeral."
How to use understanding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the knowledge you have of something, an unspoken agreement between people, or being sympathetic toward someone.
Common pairings
mutual understanding
come to an understanding
understanding boss
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Word forms
- Plural
- understandings
- Comparative
- more understanding
- Superlative
- most understanding
Fill the gap
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Reading widely gave him a deeper _____ of how the economy works.
Etymology
From Old English understanding, formed from understand plus the noun-forming suffix -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for understanding
landing
handing
sanding
standing
branding
demanding
upstanding
commanding
outstanding
grandstanding
notwithstanding
misunderstanding
See all rhymes for understanding →
Frequently asked questions
What does “understanding” mean?
The word “understanding” means the mental grasp of what something means or how it works. In plain terms, either the knowledge you have of something, an unspoken agreement between people, or being sympathetic toward someone.
How do you pronounce “understanding”?
“Understanding” is pronounced uhn-duh-STANDIHNG (/ˌʌndɚˈstændɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “understanding” in a sentence?
Here is “understanding” used in a sentence: “Her understanding of physics helped her fix the machine.”
What part of speech is “understanding”?
Depending on how it is used, “understanding” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “understanding” come from?
The word “understanding” comes from Old English. From Old English understanding, formed from understand plus the noun-forming suffix -ing.
Is “understanding” a common word?
“Understanding” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “understanding” have?
“Understanding” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the mental grasp of what something means or how it works.
What is the difference between understanding and knowledge?
Knowledge is having information — facts, data, or details you have learned. Understanding goes deeper: it is grasping what those facts mean and how they connect. You can know that a formula exists without understanding why it works. Understanding turns isolated knowledge into a meaningful, usable grasp of a subject.
Can understanding be taught?
Not directly. A teacher can present facts, explanations, and examples, but understanding has to be built by the learner as they make sense of the material. This is why two students given the same lesson can reach very different depths of understanding. Good teaching creates the conditions for it to form.
What are other meanings of 'understanding'?
Besides mental grasp, understanding can mean an informal agreement — 'we reached an understanding' signals a shared arrangement rather than a formal contract. As an adjective, it describes someone sympathetic and tolerant, as in an understanding friend. All three senses share the idea of appreciating another person or situation.
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