discerning

[ dih-sur-ning, -zur- ]
/ dɪˈsɜr nɪŋ, -ˈzɜr- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR discerning ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

showing good or outstanding judgment and understanding: a discerning critic of French poetry.

Origin of discerning

First recorded in 1600–10; discern + -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM discerning

dis·cern·ing·ly, adverb non·dis·cern·ing, adjective un·dis·cern·ing, adjective un·dis·cern·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby discerning

discarnate, discase, discectomy, discern, discernible, discerning, discernment, discerptible, discharge, discharge lamp, discharge printing

Definition for discerning (2 of 2)

discern
[ dih-surn, -zurn ]
/ dɪˈsɜrn, -ˈzɜrn /

verb (used with object)

to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; see, recognize, or apprehend: They discerned a sail on the horizon.
to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different; discriminate: He is incapable of discerning right from wrong.

verb (used without object)

to distinguish or discriminate.

Origin of discern

1300–50; Middle English (< Old French) < Latin discernere to separate, equivalent to dis- dis-1 + cernere to separate

SYNONYMS FOR discern

1 discover, descry, espy. See notice.
2, 3 differentiate, judge.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR discern ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM discern

dis·cern·er, noun pre·dis·cern, verb (used with object) un·dis·cerned, adjective

Words related to discerning

penetrating, knowledgeable, piercing, perceptive, astute, insightful, knowing, acute, bright, brilliant, clever, critical, ingenious, intelligent, judicious, perspicacious, sagacious, sage, sensitive, sharp

Example sentences from the Web for discerning

British Dictionary definitions for discerning (1 of 2)

discerning
/ (dɪˈsɜːnɪŋ) /

adjective

having or showing good taste or judgment; discriminating

Derived forms of discerning

discerningly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for discerning (2 of 2)

discern
/ (dɪˈsɜːn) /

verb

(tr) to recognize or perceive clearly
to recognize or perceive (differences)

Derived forms of discern

discerner, noun

Word Origin for discern

C14: from Old French discerner, from Latin discernere to divide, from dis- 1 (apart) + cernere to separate