Skip to main content
mutual understanding

mutual understanding

4 3.4
A situation where two or more people share the same feelings and ideas
  • noun
  • /ˈmjuːtʃuəl ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ/
translation icon : entendimiento mutuo
  • The two friends were finally able to reach a mutual understanding after discussing their feelings openly.
  • promote mutual understanding
  • mutual understanding and trust
  • mutual understanding and respect

So there was mutual understanding and mutual learning in some ways too.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Guest speakers and field trips provide valuable opportunities for intergenerational communication and mutual understanding.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The authors identify two educational objectives, one of which is that mutual understanding be promoted among Japanese and American students.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The results will be a team effort, clear communication, mutual understanding, and support for your action plans.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The goal is to create a climate of mutual understanding.

    Academic text (1993)
  • It's absolutely necessary to have a mutual understanding as to what the conditions of competition are.

    Blog text (13)
  • Surely we can come to some sort of mutual understanding.

  • However, obstacles exist to mutual understanding and clear communication between these partners.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Both sides, therefore, must make efforts to strengthen mutual understanding to make the "one country, two systems" arrangement work.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Ensure that patients and clinicians arrive at a decision based on mutual understanding of this information.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Experience in Lebanon pressures for history and religion curricula capable of promoting mutual understanding among students from different backgrounds.

    Academic text (2002)

Synonyms

understanding
vsmutual understanding
119 2.0

Support and sympathy for a person or idea

adds two-way sharing of feelings and mutual sympathy rather than single support
common ground
vsmutual understanding
76 3.2

Shared ideas or interests that help people agree and work together

highlights shared feelings and sympathy rather than only shared interests
rapport
vsmutual understanding
42 5.5

A friendly, trusting relationship where people understand each other and talk easily

stresses shared feelings and sympathy rather than communication quality
compatibility
vsmutual understanding
9 3.9

A situation where two people understand each other and get along

is about shared feelings and mutual sympathy rather than harmonious living
concurrence
vsmutual understanding
5 7.2

Agreement in opinion or plan among people

is broader, adding shared feelings and sympathy not just opinion match
meeting of minds
vsmutual understanding
2 4.2

Complete agreement and understanding between people that lets them work together

involves shared feelings and sympathy rather than only agreement
mind meld
vsmutual understanding
  • Informal
2 7.9

A very close natural connection between two people that helps them understand each other's thoughts

is similar but less intense and more about shared feelings
fellow feeling
vsmutual understanding
1 4.5

A feeling of sympathy and understanding for someone who is sad or in trouble

adds mutual agreement and broader shared opinions beyond mere sympathy
intersubjectivity
vsmutual understanding
  • Formal
1 9.9

A shared understanding that helps people communicate and work together

is more emotional, focusing on shared feelings and mutual sympathy
common wavelength
vsmutual understanding
  • Informal
3.9

A situation where people understand each other and agree

focuses on mutual feelings and sympathy instead of simple agreement

How Mutual

mutual understanding
4 3.4
rapport
42 5.5
empathy
154 3.2
understanding
119 2.0
disagreement
268 1.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

mutual + understanding

The meaning 'a situation in which two or more people share similar feelings or opinions' is directly compositional from 'mutual' (held equally by parties) + 'understanding' (shared comprehension or sympathy). This is a common, cross-linguistically supported noun phrase pattern and a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the combined meaning.

Etymology

Mutual understanding comes from a simple picture: two people who both 'understand' the same thing. mutual means shared by both and understanding means knowing or agreeing, so the phrase means 'a shared feeling or agreement'.