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understanding definition

under·stand·ing (-stan′diŋ)

noun

  1. the mental quality, act, or state of a person who understands; comprehension, knowledge, discernment, sympathetic awareness, etc.
  2. the power or ability to think, learn, judge, etc.; intelligence; sense
  3. a specific interpretation or inference one's understanding of a matter
    1. mutual comprehension, as of ideas, intentions, etc.
    2. a mutual agreement, esp. one that settles differences or is informal and not made public

adjective

that understands; having or characterized by comprehension, sympathy, etc.

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

understanding Synonyms

understanding

modif.

empathetic, empathic, kindly, generous; see patient 1, sympathetic.


understanding

n.

  1. The power to understand

    sharpness, intelligence, comprehension; see judgment 1.

  2. The act of comprehending

    recognition, knowing, perception; see judgment 2, thought 1.

  3. That which comes from understanding, sense 2

    conclusion, knowledge, perception; see belief 1, opinion 1.

  4. Informal agreement

    meeting of minds, common view, harmony, compromise; see agreement 2, 3.

  5. The intellect

    head, brain, mentality; see mind 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

understanding Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • concept: The aim is to give candidates a basic understanding of the concept of a collection of data items.

Converse of subject

  • underpin: All of them realize that government action must be underpinned by the understanding that science can bring.

Converse of object

  • gain: The student will begin by gaining an understanding of the SEM.

Adjective modifier

  • thorough: Our goal is to develop a thorough understanding of the technology that underpins the message you want us to deliver.

Noun used with modifier

  • inter-faith: What conception of truth is not only coherent and adequate, but also most conducive to inter-faith understanding?
understanding usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

understanding quotes

Wideand undetermined prospects areas pleasing tothe fancy, as the speculations of eternity or infinitude are to the understanding.

-Addison,Joseph

Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper.

-Austen,Jane

Pluralismöthat is, the conception that there are many different ends that men may seek and still be fully rational, fully men, capable of understanding each other and sympathising and deriving light from each other.

-Berlin, Sir Isaiah

understanding quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"understanding." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/understanding>

APA Style

understanding. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/understanding

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