discern

verb dis·cern \ di-ˈsərn , -ˈzərn \

Updated on: 26 May 2018

Definition of discern

transitive verb

1 a : to detect with the eyes

discerned a figure approaching through the fog

b : to detect with senses other than vision

discerned a strange odor

2 : to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : discriminate

discern right from wrong

3 : to come to know or recognize mentally

unable to discern his motives

intransitive verb

: to see or understand the difference

—

discerner

noun

—

discernible

or less commonly discernable play \-ˈsər-nə-bəl, -ˈzər-\ adjective

—

discernibly

play \-blē\ adverb

See discern defined for English-language learners

See discern defined for kids

Examples of discern in a Sentence

A careful analysis of the "Nutrition Facts" panels might provide some guidance, but you would have to do a lot of math before you could discern the best choice. —David L. Katz, O, The Oprah Magazine, August 2008
The ability to discern value at a glimpse, to sift the useful out of the rejected with as little expenditure of energy as possible, is the great talent of the scavenger. —Matthew Power, Harper's, December 2006
Astronomers are delighted to have found 19 galaxies that appear to be bent out of shape. The distorted images are cosmic mirages, arcs or rings of light created when the gravity of a massive foreground object bends and magnifies the light from a galaxy lying behind it. Albert Einstein predicted the effect … in 1936, but telescopes at the time weren't powerful enough to discern it. —R. Cowen, Science News, 21 Jan. 2006
Despite the layers of ironic hesitation, the reader soon discerns that the emotions informing the book are raw and, more importantly, authentic. —Publishers Weekly, 13 Dec. 1999
The reasons behind this sudden change are difficult to discern.
barely able to discern the garden gate through the mist

Recent Examples of discern from the Web

Both men said the Internet is something that users need to be discerning about.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Pomfret School Alumni Share Thoughts On Trump, Putin, Jinping," 21 May 2018
In its surface, the chief discerned the face of the Prophet Muhammad.

— michael lapointe, The Atlantic, "The Twisted Tale of the World’s Largest Pearl," 11 May 2018
Scientists are still trying to discern whether and how well bats tolerate salty drinking water.

— theresa laverty, Smithsonian, "Where Clean Drinking Water Is Hard To Find, Bats Could Lead the Way," 2 May 2018
Rotering said the 30-plus forums and more than 50 candidate questionnaires during the 5 1/2 month campaign was an opportunity for voters to discern differences among the candidates and for candidates to hear from a variety of constituencies.

— karen berkowitz, chicagotribune.com, "After Attorney General bid, Highland Park mayor reflects on campaign lessons," 3 Apr. 2018
The spirit has inspired many of the world's top chefs and most discerning palates to create extraordinary food pairings.

— micaela english, Town & Country, "12 Things Every Tequila Aficionado Needs to Know," 24 July 2017
In Philadelphia, discerning home decor junkies will find a tapas-bar-like array of stores, covering all the spice notes from traditional antique and international contemporary to local-artisan modern and far-out exotic.

— maura sheehy, ELLE Decor, "Shopping Philadelphia," 5 July 2012
The night vision is grayscale and can discern whether it’s sunlight peeking through or a floodlight.

— florence ion, The Verge, "Nest Hello and Yale lock review: a smart entrance," 3 May 2018
The initial point of contact was hard to discern, even on replay.

— CBS News, "Penguins' Zach Aston-Reese breaks jaw in testy playoff loss to Capitals," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'discern.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of discern

Middle English, from Middle French discerner, from Latin discernere to separate, distinguish between, from dis- apart + cernere to sift — more at dis-, certain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year