understanding
n. C / Un. the knowledge or ability to know what something means. It can also mean a kind and helpful attitude toward other people's problems.
n. the cognitive ability to grasp the meaning of information or the nature of a situation. Often used to describe a sympathetic or tolerant attitude toward others.
She has a good understanding of basic math.
The teacher showed great understanding when the student explained why his homework was late due to family issues.
Developing a deep understanding of historical events requires more than just memorising dates; it demands an analysis of the social and economic forces that shaped those moments.
From Middle English understandinge, understondinge, from Old English understanding (“intelligence, understanding”), from Proto-West Germanic undarstandingu, from Proto-Germanic understandingō, equivalent to understand + -ing (gerund ending). Cognate with Middle Dutch onderstaninge, Middle Low German understandinge, Middle High German understandunge.
From Middle English understandyng, understondynge, understondinde, undirstondend, understandande, from Old English understandende, from Proto-West Germanic undarstandandī, from Proto-Germanic understandandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic *understandaną (“to stand between, intercede, understand”), equivalent to understand + -ing (present participle ending).
Uncountable when referring to the general capacity for thought; countable when referring to a specific agreement or a particular interpretation.