Skip to main content
understanding

understanding

203 3.7
An informal agreement between two or more people
  • noun
  • /ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ/
translation icon : entendimiento
  • We had an understanding and you broke it.
  • mutual understanding
  • memorandum of understanding
  • common understanding

But we also have this this understanding that we ask each other for our opinions.

Examples

Synonyms

agreement
vsunderstanding
  • Formal
1.4

A promise made between two or more people, often written

is informal and often unwritten rather than formal and written
gentlemen's agreement
vsunderstanding
3 5.6

An agreement people make by trust that is not written or legally binding

is a more general informal promise without the special trust or honor emphasis
convenance
vsunderstanding
  • Archaic
9.9

An agreement between people or groups reached after discussion

is informal and often unspoken rather than formally negotiated

Antonyms

397 2.3

A serious disagreement between people or groups over ideas

268 1.6

A situation when people do not have the same opinion

Compounds

A strong and complete knowledge of a subject or idea

A situation where two or more people share the same feelings and ideas

Knowledge about past events and why they happened

A situation where people live together without fighting and understand each other

Knowledge and respect for cultural differences that helps people live or work together

A way of thinking that easily changes to fit new situations

Knowing that both people freely agree to the same sexual activity

Knowledge about religious beliefs and what they mean

How Formal

treaty
  • Formal
509 4.1
contract
2.8
agreement
  • Formal
1.4
understanding
203 3.7
handshake
117 1.0

Surface Forms

understanding singular

Morphology

understanding = understand (opaque) = understand + ing

Although historically related to mutual comprehension, the specialized sense 'an informal agreement' is idiomatic and not directly derivable from 'understand' for many learners.

Etymology

The word understanding comes from old English parts under- and stand, giving the picture of people 'standing together' under the same view. So an 'understanding' can be a mutual, often unwritten, agreement between parties.