understanding

UK: /ˌʌndə^rˈstændɪŋ/ US: /ˌʌndɚˈstændɪŋ/ ,(un′dər stan′ding)

From the verb understand: (⇒ conjugate)

understanding is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

un•der•stand•ing /ˌʌndɚˈstændɪŋ/   n. 

1. the mental process of a person who understands;
   comprehension:
   [uncountable] My understanding of the word does not agree with yours.
2. [uncountable] intellectual faculties;
   intelligence.
3. knowledge of or familiarity with a particular thing:
   [countable* usually singular] an understanding of nuclear physics.
4. a state of cooperation between people, nations, factions, etc.:
   [uncountable] reached an understanding.
5. a mutual agreement, esp. of a private or unspoken kind:
   [countable] to have an understanding that each would pay a share.
6. sympathy and compassion:
   [uncountable] showed real understanding toward those in trouble.

adj. 

7. showing tolerance or sympathy:
   an understanding smile.
   See-stan-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

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

1. mental process of a person who comprehends;
   comprehension;
   personal interpretation:
   My understanding of the word does not agree with yours.
2. intellectual faculties;
   intelligence;
   mind:
   a quick understanding.
3. superior power of discernment;
   enlightened intelligence:
   With her keen understanding she should have become a leader.
4. knowledge of or familiarity with a particular thing;
   skill in dealing with or handling something:
   an understanding of accounting practice.
5. a state of cooperative or mutually tolerant relations between people:
   To him, understanding and goodwill were the supreme virtues.
6. a mutual agreement, esp. of a private, unannounced, or tacit kind:
   They had an understanding about who would do the dishes.
7. an agreement regulating joint activity or settling differences, often informal or preliminary in character:
   After hours of negotiation, no understanding on a new contract was reached.
8. Philosophy
   • the power of abstract thought;
     logical power.
   • [Kantianism.] the mental faculty resolving the sensory manifold into the transcendental unity of apperception.

adj. 

9. characterized by understanding;
   prompted by, based on, or demonstrating comprehension, intelligence, discernment, empathy, or the like:
   an understanding attitude.

• Middle English understandynge, late Old English understandincge (noun, nominal). See understand, -ing¹, -ing² bef. 1050

un′der•stand′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

understanding / ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ/ noun

1. the ability to learn, judge, make decisions, etc; intelligence or sense
2. personal opinion or interpretation of a subject: my understanding of your predicament
3. a mutual agreement or compact, esp an informal or private one
4. an unofficial engagement to be married
5. the mind, esp the faculty of reason
6. on the understanding that ⇒ with the condition that; providing

adjective

1. sympathetic, tolerant, or wise towards people
2. possessing judgment and intelligence

ˌunderˈstandingly adverb

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

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

1. to see or perceive the meaning of;
   comprehend: [~ + object]
   to understand a poem.
   [~ + (that) clause]
   doesn't understand that he's not welcome.
   [no object]
   Don't say a word to anyone, understand?
2. to be familiar with;
   have a thorough knowledge of: [~ + object]
   to understand literature; She understands businesspeople.
   [no object]
   She understands about businesspeople.
3. to interpret or comprehend in a specified way: [~ + object + as + object]
   understood the suggestion as a complaint.
   [~ + object + to + verb]
   We understood you to mean you agree.
4. to grasp the significance or importance of: [~ + object]
   He doesn't understand responsibility.
   [no object]
   A child doesn't understand about death.
5. to learn or hear:
   [~ + (that) clause] I understand that you were ill.
6. to regard as agreed or settled;
   assume:
   [~ + (that) clause] We understand that you will repay this loan.
7. to infer (something not stated):
   [~ + object] In sentences that are commands, like Run!, the subject you is understood.
8. to accept something tolerantly, or with forgiveness or sympathy:
   [no object] If you can't come to the funeral, I will understand.

un•der•stand•a•ble, adj.: 

My French was barely understandable.

[It + be + ~ + that clause]

It's understandable that you are upset.

un•der•stand•a•bly, adv. See-stan-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

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

1. to perceive the meaning of;
   grasp the idea of;
   comprehend:
   to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question.
2. to be thoroughly familiar with;
   apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of:
   to understand a trade.
3. to assign a meaning to;
   interpret:
   He understood her suggestion as a complaint.
4. to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of:
   He does not understand responsibility.
5. to regard as firmly communicated;
   take as agreed or settled:
   I understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days.
6. to learn or hear:
   I understand that you are going out of town.
7. to accept as true;
   believe:
   I understand that you are trying to be truthful, but you are wrong.
8. to construe in a particular way:
   You are to understand the phrase literally.
9. to supply mentally (something that is not expressed).

v.i. 

10. to perceive what is meant;
    grasp the information conveyed:
    She told them about it in simple words, hoping they would understand.
11. to accept tolerantly or sympathetically:
    If you can't do it, I'll understand.
12. to have knowledge or background, as on a particular subject:
    He understands about boats.
13. to have a systematic interpretation or rationale, as in a field or area of knowledge:
    He can repeat every rule in the book, but he just doesn't understand.

• bef. 900; Middle English understanden, understonden, Old English understondan; cognate with Dutch onderstaan. See under-, stand

Synonyms

• 1. See know ¹.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

understand / ˌʌndəˈstænd/ verb ( -stands, -standing, -stood)

1. (may take a clause as object) to know and comprehend the nature or meaning of: I understand you, I understand what you mean
2. (may take a clause as object) to realize or grasp (something): he understands your position
3. (tr; may take a clause as object) to assume, infer, or believe: I understand you are thinking of marrying
4. (transitive) to know how to translate or read: can you understand Spanish?
5. (tr; may take a clause as object; often passive) to accept as a condition or proviso: it is understood that children must be kept quiet
6. (transitive) to be sympathetic to or compatible with: we understand each other

Etymology: Old English understandan; related to Old Frisian understonda, Middle High German understān step under; see under, stand

ˌunderˈstandable adjective

ˌunderˈstandably adverb