understanding
[noun]
Synonyms:
- perception, appreciation, awareness, comprehension, discernment, grasp, insight, judgment, knowledge, sense
- interpretation, belief, idea, judgment, notion, opinion, perception, view
- agreement, accord, pact
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- sympathetic, compassionate, considerate, kind, patient, sensitive, tolerant

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Related Words: discernment, discrimination, insight, penetration, awareness, intuition, apprehension, comprehension, grasp

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English Thesaurus: sympathetic, compassionate, understanding, carin

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. un‧der‧stand‧ing¹ W3 /ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ $ -ər-/ noun
[Word Family: adjective: understandable, understanding, misunderstood; verb: understand ≠ misunderstand; noun: understanding ≠ misunderstanding; adverb: understandably]

1. [singular, uncountable] knowledge about something, based on learning or experience
understanding of
How does this add to our understanding of the problem?
If you know the neighbourhood, you have an understanding of what the children are like.
Linguists currently have little understanding of the exact cause of language change.
How can we gain an understanding of other cultures?
Over time, you will get a far better understanding of the job.
Success depends on a clear understanding of the problem.
a basic understanding of AIDS prevention

2. [countable usually singular] an unofficial or informal agreement
come to/reach an understanding (=stop arguing and agree)
My father was furious at first, but eventually we came to an understanding.
We had an understanding that Jean-Claude should never be mentioned.

3. [singular, uncountable] the ability to understand people’s behaviour and to forgive them when they do something wrong:
The principal listened to the boy’s story with sympathy and understanding.

4. sb’s understanding (of something) the way in which someone judges the meaning of something:
According to my understanding of the letter, it means something quite different.

5. on the understanding that if you agree to something on the understanding that something else will be done, you agree to it, believing that it will be done:
Jack lent Sarah the money on the understanding that she would pay it back next month.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. understanding² adjective
[Word Family: adjective: understandable, understanding, misunderstood; verb: understand ≠ misunderstand; noun: understanding ≠ misunderstanding; adverb: understandably]
sympathetic and kind about other people’s problems:
Luckily, I have a very understanding boss.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

understanding
noun
I. knowledge of a subject, of how sth works, etc.
ADJ. complete, full He showed a full understanding of the sequence of events.
growing | clear, deep, good, profound, proper, sophisticated, thorough, true You need to read more widely to gain a proper understanding of the issue.
adequate, basic, broad, general, sufficient | limited She has only a limited understanding of what the job involves.
conceptual, critical, rational, theoretical | historical, musical, scientific, etc. | instinctive | common Some religions have a common understanding of the nature of a divine being.
QUANT. level The students seem to have a reasonable level of understanding of how genes work.
VERB + UNDERSTANDING have | show | reflect This change of policy reflects a growing understanding of the extent of the problem.
lack | acquire, arrive at, gain | give sb | advance, broaden, deepen, develop, enhance, enrich, improve, increase a book that will deepen your understanding of global warming
PREP. ~ about The book aims to give children a balanced understanding of food, farming and the environment.
~ of
PHRASES a lack of understanding

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

understanding
II. intelligence
ADJ. human
VERB + UNDERSTANDING pass a level of cruelty that passes human understanding
PREP. beyond (your) ~ The idea of eternity is beyond our full understanding.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

understanding
III. ability to feel sympathy and trust
ADJ. deeper, great | mutual | international
VERB + UNDERSTANDING show He didn't show much understanding towards her when she lost her job.
bring (about), develop, lead to Greater contact between the two groups should lead to a better mutual understanding.
gain in, grow in After spending a month living together, they have gained in understanding of each other.
foster, promote, work for
PREP. ~ between The association fosters a deeper understanding between prisons and the public.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

understanding
IV. informal agreement
ADJ. written | verbal | tacit, unspoken There is an unspoken understanding that Hugh will be in charge while Jane is away.
VERB + UNDERSTANDING have | come to, reach They came to an understanding on when final payment was to be made.
PREP. ~ between an understanding between the companies to fight against the proposed tax reform
~ on a tacit understanding on the need for a pay rise
on the ~ I thought you gave me the book on the understanding that I could keep it.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

understanding

have an understanding
The authorities don’t seem to have a clear understanding of the problem.
gain/get/develop an understanding
Scientists continued to gain a greater understanding of the effects of radiation.
deepen/broaden an understanding
It is hoped that the research will broaden our understanding of the disease.
increase/improve/enhance sb’s understanding
The classes really helped to increase our understanding of the subject.
a better/greater/deeper understanding
All of this will lead to a better understanding of the overseas market.
a clear understanding
Before you begin, it is vital that you have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve.
a complete/thorough/full understanding
The degree gives students a thorough understanding of issues relating to housing.
a proper/real understanding
They lacked any real understanding of the subject.
a good understanding
The sales force has a good understanding of the market.
a basic understanding
The aim of the examination is to test basic understanding of the written language.
a limited understanding
We have only a limited understanding of how the brain processes this information.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

sympathetic kind to someone who is having problems:
My friends were very sympathetic when I lost my job.
Jill was a very sympathetic listener.
a sympathetic attitude
compassionate wanting to help people who are suffering or having problems:
The doctor was a compassionate man who always acted in his patients’ best interests.
understanding not getting angry with someone or criticizing them, because you can see that they have problems:
I have had a lot of time off work, but my boss is very understanding.
an understanding look
caring caring about other people’s feelings and wanting to help them:
I have very caring parents.
Most of the nurses are very caring.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲