noun
understanding
An informal agreement between people.
The neighbors reach an understanding about the shared path.
Etymology
Understanding can mean a shared grasp of a situation. That mutual recognition developed into an informal agreement that need not be fully written out.
More examples
- They had an understanding rather than a signed contract.
- Several informal understandings guided the work.
- She thought their understanding was clear.
Forms
understanding · understandings
Similar words
- agreement
- A shared decision that may be formal or informal.
- arrangement
- A practical agreement about how something will work.