discernible
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does discernible mean? Discernible means able to be recognized, identified, or distinguished. If two things are described as discernible, it means they can be told apart. The verb discern means to recognize small details, accurately tell the difference between similar things, and make intelligent judgements by using such observations. Discernible is sometimes spelled as discernable. A close synonym is distinguishable. Discernible is especially used with the word difference, as in There is no discernable difference between these two things. The ability to discern or the process of doing so is called discernment, as in Only through careful discernment are these two parts discernible. Discernible means able to be discerned—not able to discern. The word for that is discerning, which can describe someone who has the ability to discern or such an ability, as in Most chefs have a very discerning palate. Example: These two scents may smell identical to the average person, but they are discernible to an experienced perfumer.
Other Word Forms
- discernableness noun
- discernably adverb
- discernibleness noun
- discernibly adverb
- undiscernable adjective
- undiscernably adverb
- undiscernible adjective
- undiscernibly adverb
Etymology
Origin of discernible
1555–65; < Latin discernibilis ( discern, -ible ); replacing earlier discernable < Middle French, equivalent to discern ( er ) to discern + -able -able
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.
Anthropic’s current defense contracts total only about $200 million, a barely discernible amount in the trillion-dollar Pentagon budget.
From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026
The book’s 47 staccato chapters jump from one subject to another without much of a discernible pattern.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
Another potential symptom, as in Foy's case, is losing weight for no discernible reason.
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026
U-Haul said that broadly the hotly debated issue of blue-to-red state migration, which became more pronounced after the pandemic of 2020, continues to be a discernible trend.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026
This last phrase - 'no discernible traces left of the recent occurrence by that time' - my father would repeat with a laugh and shake his head admiringly.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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.
