- understanding
- noun1 knowledge of a subject, of how sth works, etc.ADJECTIVE▪ complete, comprehensive, full▪
He showed a full understanding of the sequence of events.
▪ growing▪ accurate, clear, deep, detailed, fundamental, in-depth, intimate, keen, profound, proper, real, solid, sophisticated, thorough, true▪You need to read more widely to gain a proper understanding of the issue.
▪ adequate, basic, broad, general, sufficient▪ limited, rudimentary, superficial▪She has only a limited understanding of what the job involves.
▪ incomplete, poor▪He had a poor understanding of international law.
▪ better, deeper, greater, improved, increased, richer▪an improved understanding of the mechanisms involved
▪ conceptual, critical, rational, theoretical▪ historical, musical, scientific, etc.▪ contemporary, modern▪ conventional, traditional▪ instinctive, intuitive▪ collective, common▪Some religions have a common understanding of the nature of a divine being.
▪ popular, public▪with a view to increasing public understanding of the functions and institutions of government
… OF UNDERSTANDING▪ degree, level▪It allowed him to deepen his degree of understanding even further.
▪The students seem to have a reasonable level of understanding of how genes work.
VERB + UNDERSTANDING▪ have, possess▪ demonstrate, show▪ reflect▪This change of policy reflects a growing understanding of the extent of the problem.
▪ lack▪ achieve, acquire, arrive at, gain, obtain▪ create, provide▪This creates a better understanding of organic farming.
▪ give sb▪ facilitate▪ inform, shape▪All of this research informs our understanding of how disease processes work.
▪ alter, change▪ advance, broaden, deepen, develop, enhance, enrich, expand, extend, further, improve, increase, refine▪a book that will deepen your understanding of global warming
▪ seek▪Scientists are seeking a better understanding of the process.
PREPOSITION▪ understanding about▪ understanding of▪The book aims to give children a balanced understanding of food and the environment.
PHRASES▪ a lack of understanding2 intelligenceADJECTIVE▪ humanVERB + UNDERSTANDING▪ pass▪a level of cruelty that passes human understanding
PREPOSITION▪ beyond (your) understanding▪How children change so quickly is beyond my understanding.
▪Such attitudes are beyond understanding.
3 ability to feel sympathy and trustADJECTIVE▪ deeper, great▪ common, mutual, shared▪ sympathetic▪She gave me a look filled with sympathetic understanding.
▪ international▪ cross-cultural (esp. AmE), culturalVERB + UNDERSTANDING▪ show▪He didn't show much understanding towards/toward her when she lost her job.
▪ bring, bring about (esp. BrE), develop, lead to▪Greater contact between the two groups should lead to a better mutual understanding.
▪ have▪ gain, grow in▪After spending a month living together, they have gained a better understanding of each other.
▪ build▪Our goal was to build shared understanding between the two communities.
▪ foster, promotePREPOSITION▪ understanding among▪a force for understanding among the races
▪ understanding between▪The association fosters a deeper understanding between prisons and the public.
▪ understanding for▪She suddenly had a new understanding for her mother.
4 informal agreementADJECTIVE▪ written▪ verbal▪ implicit, tacit, unspoken▪There is an unspoken understanding that Hugh will be in charge while Jane is away.
VERB + UNDERSTANDING▪ have▪ come to, reach▪They came to an understanding on when final payment was to be made.
PREPOSITION▪ understanding between▪an understanding between the companies to fight against the proposed tax reform
▪ understanding on▪a tacit understanding on the need for a pay rise
▪ understanding with▪I have a clear understanding with any lawyer I hire.
▪ on the understanding▪I thought you gave me the book on the understanding that I could keep it.
Collocations dictionary. 2013.
