understanding

noun

1 the aim of the examination is to test basic understanding of the written language:

comprehension, apprehension, grasp, grip, mastery, perception, discernment, appreciation, interpretation, cognizance, ken, conception, digestion, assimilation, absorption;

knowledge, awareness, consciousness;

insight into, familiarity with, acquaintance with;

skill in, expertise in, proficiency in;

informal know-how.

▷antonyms ignorance; misunderstanding.

2 a young man of brilliant understanding and great eloquence:

intellect, intelligence, mind, brainpower, capability, insight, judgment, sense, reason, reasoning;

intuition, shrewdness, sharpness, quickness, acumen, sagacity, perspicacity, wisdom, wit;

thought, mentality;

brains, powers of reasoning/intuition;

French savoir faire;

informal gray matter, nous, savvy, know-how.

3 it was my understanding that because of the war there would be no ceremonies:

belief, perception, view, notion, idea, conclusion, conviction, feeling, opinion, intuition, impression, assumption, supposition, postulation, way of thinking, point of view;

suspicion, sneaking suspicion, hunch, funny feeling.

4 he always treated me with great kindness and understanding:

compassion, sympathy, pity, empathy, feeling, concern, considerateness, consideration, tenderness, tender-heartedness, kindness, kind-heartedness, sensitivity, insight, fellow feeling, brotherly love, neighborliness, decency, humanity, humanitarianism, humaneness, charity, goodwill, mercy, mercifulness, gentleness, tolerance, lenience, leniency, warmth, warm-heartedness, affection, love.

▷antonyms ignorance, indifference.

5 we had a tacit understanding that we would keep it secret:

agreement, gentleman's agreement, arrangement, deal, bargain, settlement, pledge, promise, pact, compact, contract, concord, treaty, covenant, bond.

adjective

he's a very good and understanding friend:

compassionate, sympathetic, sensitive, considerate, tender, kind, kindly, kindhearted, thoughtful, tolerant, patient, forbearing, lenient, merciful, forgiving, humane, human, good-natured, approachable, supportive, reassuring;

tactful, diplomatic, perceptive, subtle, prudent.