verb
Uncommon
discern
dih-SURN
Discern (verb) means to notice or perceive something, especially something not immediately obvious. Example: “It was hard to discern any pattern in the data.”
verb
1
To notice or perceive something, especially something not immediately obvious.
"It was hard to discern any pattern in the data."
"She could just discern a figure standing in the fog."
2
To recognize the difference between two things.
"He struggled to discern fact from rumor."
How to use discern
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo notice or work out something subtle, or to tell two things apart.
Common pairings
discern a pattern
discern the difference
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- discerns
- Past tense
- discerned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was hard to _____ any pattern in the data.
Etymology
From Middle English discernen, from Old French discerner, from Latin discernere ("to separate, distinguish"), from dis- ("apart") + cernere ("to distinguish").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “discern” mean?
The word “discern” means to notice or perceive something, especially something not immediately obvious. In plain terms, to notice or work out something subtle, or to tell two things apart.
How do you pronounce “discern”?
“Discern” is pronounced dih-SURN (/dɪˈsɝn/ in IPA).
How do you use “discern” in a sentence?
Here is “discern” used in a sentence: “It was hard to discern any pattern in the data.”
What is another word for “discern”?
Words with a similar meaning to “discern” include behold, see, spy and distinguish.
What part of speech is “discern”?
“Discern” is a verb.
Where does the word “discern” come from?
The word “discern” comes from Latin. From Middle English discernen, from Old French discerner, from Latin discernere ("to separate, distinguish"), from dis- ("apart") + cernere ("to distinguish").
Is “discern” a common word?
“Discern” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “discern” have?
“Discern” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to notice or perceive something, especially something not immediately obvious.
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