misunderstanding

UK: /ˌmɪsʌndə^rˈstændɪŋ/

US: /ˌmɪsʌndɚˈstændɪŋ/

US: (mis′un dər stan′ding)

From the verb misunderstand: (⇒ conjugate)

misunderstanding is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

mis•un•der•stand•ing /ˌmɪsʌndɚˈstændɪŋ/   n. 

1. a failure to understand:
   [uncountable] a source of mistrust and misunderstanding.
   [countable] a major misunderstanding during the peace talks.
2. a disagreement or quarrel:
   [countable] had a misunderstanding but now we're friends again.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mis•un•der•stand•ing  (mis′un dər stan′ding), n. 

1. failure to understand correctly;
   mistake as to meaning or intent.
2. a disagreement or quarrel.

• 1400–50; late Middle English; see mis-¹, understanding

mis′un•der•stand′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. misapprehension, error, misconception.
• 2. discord, difference, difficulty, dissension.

Antonyms

• 2. concord.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

misunderstanding / ˌmɪsʌndəˈstændɪŋ/ noun

1. a failure to understand properly
2. a disagreement

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

mis•un•der•stand /ˌmɪsʌndɚˈstænd/   v. [not: be + ~-ing] , -stood, -stand•ing. 

1. to interpret incorrectly;
   attach a wrong meaning to: [~ + object]
   The radar operators misunderstood his orders.
   [no object]
   I think you misunderstood; repeat the instructions.
2. to fail to understand the character, nature, etc., of (someone):
   [~ + object] He continually misunderstands his children.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mis•un•der•stand  (mis′un dər stand′), v.t., -stood, -stand•ing. 

1. to take (words, statements, etc.) in a wrong sense;
   understand wrongly.
2. to fail to understand or interpret rightly the words or behavior of.

• Middle English misunderstanden. See mis-¹, understand 1150–1200

mis′un•der•stand′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. misconstrue, misapprehend, misinterpret.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

misunderstand / ˌmɪsʌndəˈstænd/ verb ( -stands, -standing, -stood)

1. to fail to understand properly