misunderstanding
[ mis-uhn-der-stan-ding ]
/ ˌmɪs ʌn dərˈstæn dɪŋ /
noun
failure to understand correctly; mistake as to meaning or intent.
a disagreement or quarrel.
QUIZZES
DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?
"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
Origin of misunderstanding
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at mis-1, understanding
SYNONYMS FOR misunderstanding
OTHER WORDS FROM misunderstanding
mis·un·der·stand·ing·ly, adverbWords nearby misunderstanding
mistrustful, mistryst, misty, misty-eyed, misunderstand, misunderstanding, misunderstood, misusage, misuse, misuser, misventure
Definition for misunderstanding (2 of 2)
misunderstand
[ mis-uhn-der-stand ]
/ ˌmɪs ʌn dərˈstænd /
verb (used with object), mis·un·der·stood, mis·un·der·stand·ing.
to take (words, statements, etc.) in a wrong sense; understand wrongly.
to fail to understand or interpret rightly the words or behavior of.
Origin of misunderstand
First recorded in 1150–1200, misunderstand is from the Middle English word misunderstanden. See mis-1, understand
SYNONYMS FOR misunderstand
OTHER WORDS FROM misunderstand
mis·un·der·stand·er, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for misunderstanding
British Dictionary definitions for misunderstanding (1 of 2)
misunderstanding
/ (ˌmɪsʌndəˈstændɪŋ) /
noun
a failure to understand properly
a disagreement
British Dictionary definitions for misunderstanding (2 of 2)
misunderstand
/ (ˌmɪsʌndəˈstænd) /
verb -stands, -standing or -stood
to fail to understand properly
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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