misunderstanding
UK/,mɪsʌndə'stændɪŋ/US/.misʌndә'stændiŋ/
B1
Definitions
n.
A failure to understand something correctly
误解，误会
n.
A minor disagreement or quarrel
不和，小摩擦
Root Breakdown
Native Englishmis-wrongly, badly
+
understandroot
+
-ingcontinuous / action of
=misunderstanding
mis- (wrongly) + understanding = understanding something the wrong way. Understand contains stand (the 'stand' root). A misunderstanding is grasping things the wrong way — and by extension, a small clash that results.
Common Collocations
- 1.clear up a misunderstanding澄清误会
- 2.serious misunderstanding严重误解
- 3.due to a misunderstanding由于误会
Example Sentences
- 1.
There seems to be a misunderstanding about the deadline.
- 2.
We had a small misunderstanding but soon made up.