Discern Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of DISCERN

[+ object]

1

:

to see, hear, or notice (something) with difficulty or effort

• We could just discern [=distinguish, _make out_] the ship through the fog.

2

:

to come to know, recognize, or understand (something)

• The reasons behind this sudden change are difficult to discern.
• The purpose of the study is to discern [=_identify_] patterns of criminal behavior.
• unable to discern [=_distinguish_] right from wrong

— discernible

/dɪˈsɚnəbəl/

adjective

[more discernible; most discernible]

• There is no discernible difference between the original and the copy.

— discernibly

/dɪˈsɚnəbli/

adverb

[more discernibly; most discernibly]

• The original and copy aren't discernibly different.