understandin'

Noun

understanding (countable and uncountable, plural understandings)

1. (uncountable, with-of) The act of one that understands or comprehends; the mental process of discernment of meaning.
   • There are certain things that defy human understanding.

   Synonyms:

   comprehension

2. (countable, with-of) Reason or intelligence; ability to grasp the full meaning of knowledge; ability to infer.
   • She has a solid understanding of particle physics.

   Synonyms:

   comprehension, grasp

3. (countable, with-of) Opinion, judgement, or outlook.
   • It is the goneness of the Holocaust that produces the simultaneous profusion of discourses and understandings; the goneness is what opens up, what spurs, what unleashes the perpetual desire to do, to make, to rethink the Holocaust.1999, Vivian Patraka, Spectacular Suffering: Theatre, Fascism, and the Holocaust
4. (with-of) An informal contract; a mutual agreement.
   • I thought we had an understanding - you do the dishes, and I throw the trash.
5. (with-of) A reconciliation of differences.
   • The parties of the negotiation have managed to come to an understanding.
6. (uncountable, with-of) Sympathy.
   • He showed much understanding for my problems when he heard about my past.

See all 8 meanings of understanding