Meaning & use
discern
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Meanings
verbtransitiveformal
To notice or make out something that is faint, hidden or hard to detect.
Grammar: Takes an object or a clause: discern a shape; discern whether it is true.
Patterns
- discern something
- discern that something is true
- discern whether something
In the fog, we could just discern the outline of a ship.
She could discern a note of worry in his voice.
Few readers can discern the author's real intention.
verbtransitiveformal
To recognize the difference between two things or judge what is true or right.
Grammar: Often with between or from: discern between right and wrong.
Patterns
- discern between things
- discern one thing from another
It takes experience to discern genuine antiques from copies.
Children slowly learn to discern fact from opinion.
A good editor can discern which details matter.
Word forms
| third person singular | discerns |
|---|---|
| past tense | discerned |
| past participle | discerned |
| -ing form | discerning |
Common combinations
- barely discern
- I could barely discern the writing on the old stone.
- discern a pattern
- Researchers discerned a pattern in the data.
- discern the truth
- It was hard to discern the truth from the rumors.
- discern the difference
- Can you discern the difference between the two wines?
- discern a motive
- Police could not discern any motive for the crime.
Synonyms and how they differ
- perceive
- Perceive is wider and covers any understanding through the senses or mind, while discern implies spotting something subtle.
- detect
- Detect means to find something hidden, often with instruments, while discern suggests careful judgment.
- distinguish
- Distinguish stresses telling things apart, close to the second sense of discern.
Opposites
Word family
- discernment noun
- Good judgment, especially in noticing what is subtle.
- discerning adjective
- Having or showing good judgment and taste.
- discernible adjective
- Possible to notice or recognize.
- indiscernible adjective
- Impossible to see or notice.
Commonly confused: discern or disown?
discern vs disown
Disown means to refuse to acknowledge as your own. It has no link with noticing.
Practice
In the dim light she could barely ___ the faint outline of a door.
Choose one answer.
Discern means to make out something faint. The other verbs mean to discourage, postpone, and scatter.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “discern”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.