Basic Details
Word: Misunderstanding
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A failure to understand something correctly; also a small disagreement caused by such a mistake.
Synonyms: mix-up, confusion, misconception, disagreement
Antonyms: understanding, agreement
How to Spell Misunderstanding
Syllables: mis - un - der - stand - ing
Tricky part: There is only one s after mi, because the next part begins with u. Every other part is spelt as it is on its own: under, stand, ing.
Watch out for: missunderstanding, misunderstandng, misundrstanding
Memory tip: Build it like blocks: mis + under + stand + ing. Four blocks, each spelt just as it is on its own.
Usage Examples
Example 1: There was a misunderstanding about the time of the meeting.
Example 2: A phone call cleared up the misunderstanding between the two families.
Example 3: I am sorry for the misunderstanding; I thought you said Tuesday.
Fun Fact
Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors is built on one long misunderstanding: two pairs of identical twins, parted as babies in a shipwreck, keep being mistaken for each other in the same town.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to misunderstanding as used in the sentence:
A small misunderstanding over the cricket score turned into a week of silence between the two friends.
a) mix-up
b) celebration
c) promise
d) agreement
Show answer
a) mix-up. A misunderstanding is a mix-up; agreement is the opposite.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
mis_nd_rst_nding
a) u, e, a
b) o, e, a
c) u, a, a
d) u, e, e
Show answer
a) u, e, a. Mis-un-der-stand-ing: the u of under, the e of der and the a of stand.
Spell-o-Spell
One word in the list is misspelt. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. missunderstanding 2. negotiation 3. reconciliation 4. apology
a) a statement saying that you are sorry
b) discussion aimed at reaching an agreement
c) making friends again after a quarrel
d) a failure to understand something correctly
Show answer
d) a failure to understand something correctly. Missunderstanding has one s too many; mis is followed by under, which starts with u.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. To clear up a misunderstanding means to ____.
a) clean a room after a party
b) explain things so everyone understands
c) forget an argument without talking
d) write a letter of complaint
Show answer
b) explain things so everyone understands
2. Which situation is a misunderstanding?
a) Ravi waited at the wrong gate because he misheard the plan.
b) Ravi won the race after months of training.
c) Ravi bought a new bat for the match.
d) Ravi finished his homework before dinner.
Show answer
a) Ravi waited at the wrong gate because he misheard the plan.
