discern

play

verb dis·cern \di-ˈsərn, -ˈzərn\

Definition of discern

transitive verb
1a : to detect with the eyes discerned a figure approaching through the fogb : 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

Illustrations throughout by Zohar Lazar The next frontier for adventurous—yet discerning—travelers? Vacationing in the buff.

— davy rothbart, GQ, "Inside the Clothing-Optional Resort of Your Swinging Dreams," 18 July 2017
At a time when distrust in journalistic institutions is swelling, technology that further muddies the ability to discern what’s real is rapidly advancing.

— adrienne lafrance, The Atlantic, "The Technology That Will Make It Impossible for You to Believe What You See," 11 July 2017
And this data is not enough to discern the changing prevalence of drug-resistant infections in many of those reporting countries.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Incurable gonorrhea is lurking—and we may not see it coming, WHO warns," 9 July 2017
Bannon is astute enough to discern Trump’s desires and heedless enough to carry it out.

— joshua green, Daily Intelligencer, "Steve Bannon Is Out of Trump’s Doghouse and Leading the Charge Against Mueller," 9 July 2017
But close observers of Trump’s thinking have discerned some method to his apparent madness:

— olivia nuzzi, Daily Intelligencer, "How Donald Trump Decides to Fire Someone," 30 June 2017
Discerning between a run and a pass play before the snap may come down to subtle clues, such as offensive linemen’s fingers.

— jenny vrentas, The MMQB, "Bobby Wagner Can See into the Future," 29 June 2017
Discerning fans should listen to everything, but the money most of all.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "2017 NBA Free Agency Primer: The Craziest Part Of The Calendar," 23 June 2017
There was no detective work needed to discern a population boom.

— Washington Post, "Egypt census workers detect another baby boom," 22 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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