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Discern means to recognize small details, accurately tell the difference between similar things, and make intelligent judgements by using such observations.

The ability to do this or the process of doing it is called discernment, as in Only through careful discernment can you tell a genuine artifact from the work of a counterfeiter.��

Things that can be identified or distinguished in such a way can be described as discernible. The adjective discerning can be used to describe someone who has the ability to discern or to describe such an ability, as in Most chefs have a very discerning palate. A close synonym is discriminating.

The verb discriminate can be used to mean the same thing as discern (discriminate also commonly means to treat in a prejudicial way, which is not one of the senses of discern).

Example: These two scents may smell identical to the average person, but an experienced perfumer can discern the difference between them.

The first records of the word discern come from the 1300s. It derives from the Latin term discernere, meaning “to separate” or “to divide,” from dis-, meaning “apart,” and cernere, “to separate.”

To discern is to tell things apart—to separate them, even when they appear to be very similar. People who are able to discern are able to make keen observations about things. A person with a sophisticated palate may be able to discern flavors that others cannot. This ability is often associated with wisdom and experience. Discerning also often involves making a judgment, especially about things that aren’t obvious. For example, it takes discernment to accurately judge someone’s character.

What are some other forms related to discern?��

• discernment (noun)
• discerning (continuous tense verb, adjective)
• discernible (adjective)
• undiscerned (adjective)
• discerner (noun)

What are some synonyms for discern?

• distinguish
• differentiate
• discriminate

What are some words that share a root or word element with discern?��

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• discernible��
• discerning

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What are some words that often get used in discussing discern?

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• between
• difference
• apart
• perception
• keen
• observation
• judgement

Discern is a somewhat formal word and is typically used in serious contexts.

We’re proud to highlight Esan Sommersell, a GR-based artist. In a world where it's become increasingly more difficult to discern fact from fiction, Sommersell's paintings remind us that what we see, hear, touch and taste cannot be separated from what we feel. (1/2)

— Founders Brewing Co. (@foundersbrewing)

'Every reader is actually the reader of himself. The writer's work is only a kind of optical instrument he provides the reader so he can discern what he might never have seen in himself without this book.'
― Marcel Proust in 1871

— Royal Society of Literature (@RSLiterature)

see I’m always inclined to put turmeric in things because I, and I know people are going to have Feelings about this, have never been able to discern a Taste in turmeric

— danielle tcholakian (@danielleiat)

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Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of discern?��

A. differentiate
B. distinguish
C. discriminate
D. ignore