mis ‧ un ‧ der ‧ stand ‧ ing /ˌmɪsʌndəˈstændɪŋ $ -ər-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ understandable , ↑ understanding , ↑ misunderstood ; verb : ↑ understand ≠ ↑ misunderstand ; noun : ↑ understanding ≠ ↑ misunderstanding ; adverb : ↑ understandably ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] a problem caused by someone not understanding a question, situation, or instruction correctly:
There must have been some misunderstanding. I didn’t order all these books.
2 . [countable] an argument or disagreement that is not very serious – often used humorously:
Terry had a little misunderstanding with the police last night.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ avoid a misunderstanding
State clearly what you expect, to avoid misunderstandings later on.
▪ cause/lead to a misunderstanding
Hearing loss can cause misunderstandings, when what you say is not correctly heard.
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Don’t just assume that you know what he means; that can lead to misunderstandings.
▪ a misunderstanding arises (=a misunderstanding starts)
Misunderstandings can easily arise when people from different cultures meet.
▪ clear up/correct a misunderstanding (=get rid of a misunderstanding)
I want to talk to you, to try and clear up any misunderstandings.
▪ be based on a misunderstanding (=happen or be done as a result of a misunderstanding)
The whole argument was based on a misunderstanding.
■ phrases
▪ there has been a misunderstanding
There’s been a misunderstanding about what I meant.
▪ there must be some misunderstanding (=used when you think someone has not understood something correctly)
I think there must be some misunderstanding - I don’t know anyone called Barry.
▪ there is no misunderstanding
I am writing to make sure there is no misunderstanding between us.
▪ something is all a misunderstanding (=used when saying that a situation happened because of a mistake)
Why don’t you call him and tell him it was all a misunderstanding?
▪ a bit of a misunderstanding British English
I’m afraid it’s all a bit of a misunderstanding.
■ adjectives
▪ a serious/terrible misunderstanding
There have been some serious misunderstandings which have led to conflict.
▪ a little misunderstanding (=one that is not serious)
We need to clear up this little misunderstanding.
▪ a simple misunderstanding (=one that is not serious and is easy to correct)
It was a simple misunderstanding: I thought the meeting was on Wednesday, not Thursday.
▪ a complete/total misunderstanding
There seems to be a complete misunderstanding of how the changes will affect us.
▪ a fundamental misunderstanding (=a misunderstanding of the main point of something)
a fundamental misunderstanding of Freud’s theories
▪ a widespread misunderstanding (=a misunderstanding that many people share)
There is a widespread misunderstanding of the purpose of the law.
▪ a cultural misunderstanding (=a misunderstanding caused by different cultures doing things in a different way)
Cultural misunderstandings have led to fights between students.
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THESAURUS
■ an argument that is not very serious
▪ squabble /ˈskwɒb ə l $ ˈskwɑː-/ an argument about something that is not important:
There were the usual squabbles between brothers and sisters.
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Voters are tired of petty squabbles between party leaders.
▪ tiff informal an argument that is not very serious, between people who are in love:
Gary had a bit of a tiff with his girlfriend.
▪ misunderstanding a slight argument – a rather formal word which is often used humorously:
There was a slight misunderstanding over the bill, but everything’s been sorted out now.
▪ skirmish a short argument, especially between politicians or sports opponents:
Evans and O'Brien had several political skirmishes.