discuss
Americanverb (used with object)
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to consider or examine by argument, comment, etc.; talk over or write about, especially to explore solutions; debate.
to discuss the proposed law on taxes.
- Synonyms:
- deliberate, reason
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Civil Law.
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to collect a debt from (the person primarily liable) before proceeding against the person secondarily liable.
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to execute against the movable property of (a debtor) before proceeding against the debtor's immovable property, as land.
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Rare. to consume (food or drink) enthusiastically.
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Obsolete. to make known; reveal.
verb
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to have a conversation about; consider by talking over; debate
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to treat (a subject) in speech or writing
the first three volumes discuss basic principles
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facetious to eat or drink with enthusiasm
Usage
What does discuss mean? Discuss means to have a conversation about or talk about a particular topic, especially to examine it more closely, debate it, or figure out a solution. You can discuss something with another person or multiple people, or you can discuss something by talking or writing about it for an audience. Discuss tends to be used in contexts in which the topic is at least somewhat serious. The noun form of discuss is discussion. Example: Listen, class, the purpose of breaking into small groups is to discuss your projects—not to chat about your personal life.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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overdiscussverb (used with object)
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undiscussibleadjective
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prediscussverb (used with object)
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discussableadjective
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rediscussverb (used with object)
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discussantnoun
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nondiscussibleadjective
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discussibleadjective
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undiscussableadjective
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discussernoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have discussedperfect
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has discussedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been discussingperfect progressive
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are discussingprogressive
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has been discussingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am discussingprogressive 1st person singular
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is discussingprogressive 3rd person singular
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discussessingular 3rd person
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discussingparticiple
Past
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had discussedperfect
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had been discussingperfect progressive
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was discussingprogressive singular
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discussedparticiple
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discussedsimple
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were discussingprogressive plural
Future
Etymology
Origin of discuss
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, either from Anglo-French discusser or directly from Latin discussus “struck asunder, shaken, scattered,” past participle of discutere, equivalent to dis- dis- 1 + -cutere (combining form of quatere “to shake, strike”)
Explanation
To discuss is to talk: but with a more serious intent. Discussing is a lot more substantial than chatting. When someone says, "I have something I need to discuss with you," most people think "Uh oh." To discuss usually implies a certain amount of serious talking. This can apply to writing as well: essays discuss topics, usually in a careful, thorough way. On the other hand, sometimes discuss means exactly the same thing as talk or converse. Like all words, the meaning depends on how it’s used.
Vocabulary lists containing discuss
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5
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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In anticipation of his 11th stand-up comedy special, “Tea & Scotch,” Oswalt appeared on Delish’s “SNACKS!” to discuss all things food and cravings.
From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026
Musk is scheduled to host a fireside chat with ASML’s chief executive, Christophe Fouquet, and discuss AI, robotics, space exploration and chip manufacturing.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026
About 40 miles away in Tavistock, Francesca Cassini, 70, and her group of friends, aged between 50 and 85, are meeting to discuss their own project aimed at growing old together in co-housing.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
"We cannot discuss something that does not exist," he said when asked about the protests, calling on Western media to be "much more careful" in their reporting.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Why comparisons to insects, animals, and even vegetables are so often used to discuss matters that have only to do with humans is a question that philosophers have yet to answer.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
