Discern — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /di-ˈsərn/ dis·cern

Meaning & Definition of Discern

Discern (verb)

  1. to detect with the eyes
  2. to detect with senses other than vision
  3. to recognize or identify as separate and distinct, discriminate

Discern (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes

    "barely able to discern the garden gate through the mist"

    similar: behold, catch, descry, distinguish, espy, eye, look (at), note, notice, observe, perceive, regard, remark, see, sight, spot, spy, view, witness, get a load of (slang), lay eyes on, set eyes on
    related: identify, make out, pick out, pick up, attend (to), consider, heed, mark, mind, study, watch, examine, inspect, scan, scrutinize, survey, glance (at), glimpse, peer (at)
    near: disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over, miss, overlook

  2. to understand or point out the difference in

    "too young to discern between right and wrong"

    similar: difference, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, secern, separate
    related: contradistinguish, comprehend, grasp, know, understand, divide, part, sever, demarcate, mark (off), set off
    opposite: confuse, mistake, mix (up)
    near: confound, lump (together), mingle

  3. to have a clear idea of

    "we're still trying to discern the meaning of that cryptic remark"

    similar: appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, comprehend, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand, pick up on
    related: absorb, digest, take in, realize, fathom, penetrate, pierce
    opposite: miss
    near: misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Discern

The most common words with a similar meaning to Discern:

Slang: get a load of
behold, catch, descry, distinguish, espy, eye, look (at), note, notice, observe, perceive, regard, remark, see, sight, spot, spy, view, witness, difference, differentiate, discriminate, secern, separate, appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, catch on (to), cognize, compass, comprehend, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, get, grasp, grok, intuit

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Discern

Words with the opposite meaning of Discern:

confuse, mistake, mix (up), miss

Related Words for Discern

identify, pick out, pick up, attend (to), consider, heed, mark, mind, study, watch, examine, inspect, scan, scrutinize, survey, glance (at), glimpse, peer (at), contradistinguish, divide, part, sever, demarcate, mark (off), set off, absorb, digest, take in, realize, fathom

Near Antonyms of Discern

disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over, overlook, confound, lump (together), mingle, misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, misunderstand

Word Forms of Discern

Inflections: discerned, discerning, discerns

Derived words: discerner (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Discern

Middle English discernen "to discriminate, perceive rationally, see," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French discerner, borrowed from Latin discernere "to separate, divide off, distinguish," from dis- dis- + cernere "to sift, discern, decide, determine" certain:1

First known use: 14th centuryt

Frequently Asked Questions about Discern

What does "Discern" mean?

"Discern" means to detect with the eyes. As a verb, it is defined as: to detect with the eyes. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Discern"?

Other words for "Discern" include behold, catch, descry, distinguish, espy, eye, look (at) and note. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Discern" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Discern"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Discern". Common alternatives include behold, catch, descry, distinguish, espy, eye, look (at), note, notice and observe.

What is the opposite of "Discern"?

Antonyms of "Discern" include confuse, mistake, mix (up) and miss. Near antonyms include disregard, ignore, neglect and overpass.

How do you use "Discern" in a sentence?

Examples of "Discern" in a sentence: "barely able to discern the garden gate through the mist"; "too young to discern between right and wrong"; "we're still trying to discern the meaning of that cryptic remark".

Is "Discern" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Discern" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Discern"?

"Discern" is pronounced /di-ˈsərn/ and divided into syllables as dis·cern.

What is the origin of the word "Discern"?

"Discern" comes from Middle English discernen "to discriminate, perceive rationally, see," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French discerner, borrowed from Latin discernere "to separate, divide off, distinguish," from dis- dis- + cernere "to sift, discern, decide, determine" certain:1. First known use: 14th centuryt.