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un·der·stand·ing
 understanding
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- pronunciation:
- uhn
d
 r
staen
dIng
- parts of speech:
- noun, adjective
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, adjective), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
the intellectual process of getting the meaning of something; comprehension.
The teacher's notes were helpful to the students' understanding of the difficult prose.- synonyms:
- comprehension
- similar words:
- cognition, cognizance, insight, realization, thought
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| definition 2: |
grasp of the meaning or significance of something.
We now have a clear understanding of the problem.He doesn't seem to have an understanding of the rules of the game.- similar words:
- appreciation, apprehension
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| definition 3: |
individual interpretation; opinion.
My understanding of what she said was that we were all to meet here at six o'clock.His understanding of the situation was different from hers.- synonyms:
- explanation, interpretation, opinion
- similar words:
- belief, conception, conceptualization, inference, judgment, perception
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| definition 4: |
an agreement, esp. of an implicit or private nature.
I believe we have an understanding in this matter, don't we?There was always an understanding between them that they would marry eventually.The two sides cautiously reached an understanding.- synonyms:
- agreement
- similar words:
- accord, arrangement, bargain, compact, concord, covenant, pact, settlement
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| definition 5: |
the ability or means by which one understands; thinking; intelligence.
He lacks the understanding to make good decisions.- synonyms:
- intellect, intelligence, reason
- similar words:
- acumen, aptitude, brainpower, brains, comprehension, gray, insight, intuition, matter, mind, perception, perspicacity, sagacity, savvy, sense, wisdom, wit
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| definition 6: |
clear knowledge of the workings of something.
She has a good understanding of higher mathematics.- synonyms:
- grasp, knowledge
- antonyms:
- ignorance
- similar words:
- acquaintance, adeptness, capability, command, competence, familiarity, grip, proficiency, savvy, skill
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| definition 7: |
sympathy or tolerance toward other people.
Our religion teaches understanding.- synonyms:
- open-mindedness, tolerance
- antonyms:
- intolerance
- similar words:
- compassion, empathy, sensitivity, sympathy
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| related words: |
ability, amity, appreciation, apprehension, compromise, contract, explanation, eye, head, heart, idea, impression, knowledge, learning, light, mastery, mentality, treaty, vision |
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| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
sympathetic or tolerant toward the views or behaviors of others; compassionate.
You're lucky to have an understanding boss who won't be angry when you make mistakes.She's always been a kind and understanding friend who never judges me.- synonyms:
- compassionate, sympathetic, tolerant
- antonyms:
- uncompassionate, unsympathetic
- similar words:
- accepting, broad-minded, considerate, forgiving, kind, patient, thoughtful
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| definition 2: |
marked by or having intelligence or insight.
- synonyms:
- insightful, intelligent, knowing
- similar words:
- astute, brainy, bright, clever, incisive, perceptive, sharp, smart
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| related words: |
amicable, gracious, sympathetic, wise |
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| derivation: |
understandingly (adv.) |
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