I. un ‧ der ‧ stand ‧ ing 1 W3 /ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ $ -ər-/ BrE AmE 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.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ 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.
■ adjectives
▪ 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.
II. understanding 2 BrE AmE 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.
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THESAURUS
▪ sympathetic kind to someone who is having problems:
My friends were very sympathetic when I lost my job.
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Jill was a very sympathetic listener.
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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.
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an understanding look
▪ caring caring about other people’s feelings and wanting to help them:
I have very caring parents.
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Most of the nurses are very caring.