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

Unlike other groups designated as terrorist threats, Antifa is more of a set of tactics and a political philosophy than a discernible group. —Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2026

This was a dramatic turn after Starmer had sought a reputation as something of a Trump-whisperer — even if that went down badly with many Britons at home, failing to win discernible gains over the Ukraine war and Trump’s hostile pursuit of Greenland. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026

Hulu offers standard closed captioning, but relatively few titles support audio descriptions, an accessibility feature that provides audible narration of on-screen actions that would not be discernible through dialogue alone. —Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026

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