understanding
- adjective
- /ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ/
- Mama, thanks for being so understanding about our wedding.
- supportive and understanding
- more understanding
- very understanding
I yes, I become very calm, very understanding, very sympathetic.
- I yes, I become very calm, very understanding, very sympathetic.
- And we are very understanding of each other.
- Which has in turn meant I have the most understanding and accepting boyfriend.
- I I think that made me a more understanding, better person.
- And when I'm there, she's now understanding.
Examples
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Mama, thanks for being so understanding about my decision to change schools.
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I have the best, most understanding wife in the world, Jill.
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And we are very understanding of each other.
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Years ago, people were less understanding of my kind.
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I need to be so understanding of him at this difficult time.
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I am a very understanding person.
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Well, um... thank you for taking care of my son... and for being so understanding.
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She's the only honest, understanding person here, which makes my decision to leave all the more difficult.
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Everyone I spoke to that day was respectful, understanding, and kind.
Academic text (2001) -
She's an amazingly understanding woman.
Synonyms
Caring about other people's needs and feelings
To understand and share other people's feelings
To understand and share other people's feelings
A person who is kind and caring
Compounds
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
How Empathetic
Surface Forms
Morphology
understanding = understand (semi-transparent) = understand + ing
Adjectival use of the present participle from 'understand'; the empathetic sense is related to comprehension but involves an evaluative/emotional extension.
Etymology
The word understanding comes from old English parts under- and stand, suggesting the idea of 'standing with' someone. That's why an 'understanding' person is kind and able to see how others feel.