Meaning & use
discernable
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivecomparable
Possible to see, hear or notice, even if only faintly; a less common spelling of discernible.
Grammar: Can follow a verb or come before a noun: a discernable pattern, barely discernable.
Patterns
- discernable to someone
- discernable in something
There was no discernable difference between the two paints.
A faint smile was discernable on her face.
The path was barely discernable in the fog.
Word forms
| comparative | more discernable |
|---|---|
| superlative | most discernable |
Common combinations
- barely discernable
- The writing on the stone was barely discernable.
- clearly discernable
- A clearly discernable trend emerged from the survey.
- no discernable difference
- Testers noticed no discernable difference in taste.
- discernable pattern
- We could find no discernable pattern in the results.
Synonyms and how they differ
- noticeable
- Noticeable is everyday and common, while discernable is more formal and suggests something that takes some attention to detect.
- perceptible
- Perceptible stresses that the senses can pick it up, and it is a little more technical than discernable.
- visible
- Visible only covers what can be seen, whereas discernable can also apply to sounds or ideas.
Opposites
Word family
- discern verb
- to notice or recognize something with effort
- discernible adjective
- the standard spelling of this word
- discernment noun
- good judgment or the ability to see differences
- discerning adjective
- having or showing good taste and judgment
Commonly confused: discernable or discreet?
discernable vs discreet
Discreet means careful not to attract attention or reveal secrets; it is unrelated to noticing something.
Practice
In the dim light, the signature on the letter was hardly ___.
Choose one answer.
Discernable (or discernible) means able to be made out. Discerning describes a person with good judgment, so it cannot describe a signature.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “discernable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.