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discern

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /dɪˈsɜrn/ · UK /dɪˈsɜːn/

Forms: discerning

discern means: To notice or recognize something that is not easy to see or understand.

verb

NOTICEC1

To notice or recognize something that is not easy to see or understand.

  • I could barely discern her face.
  • They discerned a pattern in the results.
  • Can you discern any meaning in these marks?

How to use it: discern something in something (I could discern a faint shape in the fog.)

Similar words: detect, perceive, make out

Common phrases: discern a pattern, discern something in something, discern an outline

TELL APARTC1

To recognize the difference between two things.

  • Can you discern truth from lies?
  • She discerned the genuine signature from the fake one.
  • They struggled to discern between the two types of stone.

How to use it: discern A from B (Children learn to discern right from wrong.); discern between A and B (It is difficult to discern between fact and opinion here.)

Similar words: distinguish, differentiate, tell apart

Common phrases: discern right from wrong, discern between things

Questions about discern

What does discern mean?

To notice or recognize something that is not easy to see or understand.

What is discern in other languages?

Türkçe: seçmek · Español: percibir · Français: discerner · Deutsch: erkennen · Italiano: discernere · 日本語: 見分ける

How do you pronounce discern?

In American English /dɪˈsɜrn/; in British English /dɪˈsɜːn/.

How do you use discern in a sentence?

I could barely discern her face. They discerned a pattern in the results.

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discern in other languages

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