discernible

adjective

dis·​cern·​ible di-ˈsər-nə-bəl 

-ˈzər-

variants or less commonly discernable

: able to be perceived by a sense (such as sight or smell) or by the mind : capable of being discerned

a discernible difference

It is thought that the genes that normally produce a white underbelly in the gray squirrel are active in a wider area of their bodies, often leaving discernible gray patches on the spine and head.

—C. Claiborne Ray

Downpours are a near-daily occurrence throughout the year, and there are few discernible changes of season. Sunlight, warmth, and moisture are constants.

—Scott Wallace

discernibly

di-ˈsər-nə-blē 

-ˈzər-

adverb

or less commonly discernably

a discernibly better product

two materials that are not discernibly different

When a recipe says to brown the meat, it is calling for a deep brown sear and a discernibly thick crust on all sides …

—Cook's Illustrated

Synonyms of discernible

• distinguishable
• noticeable
• audible
• detectable
• perceptible

Examples of discernible in a Sentence

discernible differences in the two authors' writing styles

Recent Examples on the Web

The lobes fan straight out from the tree without any discernible stems. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026

Between color and contrast, rest assured that visuals will be lifelike yet discernible (and you won’t get picked off by a bad agent hiding in the shadows). — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Located so close to the western edge—or limb—of the moon, the bright plume resulting from impact might extend out into the black background of space, setting up a stark, easily discernible light-dark contrast. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 4 Aug. 2026

But the factors that weigh more heavily for my company aren’t discernible by AI. — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

discernible borrowed from Late Latin discernibilis, from Latin discernere "to separate, divide off, distinguish, discern" + -ibilis -ible; discernable from discern + -able, after Late Latin discernibilis

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for discernible

• discernable
• returnable
• indiscernible