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

But occasionally, a case with no discernible link to pigs is reported. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026

Unfortunately, writer-director John Patton Ford has little feel for the American class system, no discernible talent for writing good dialogue, and minimal competency with directing actors. —Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026

The Yale Budget Lab has found no discernible disruption to the broader labor market since ChatGPT’s launch. —Parmy Olson, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026

Musical cues swing wildly from choral eeriness to dead silence to pulsing synths without any discernible logic, frequently robbing scenes of rhythm and dread. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 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