discerning
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does discerning mean? Discerning is an adjective that means able to discern—recognize small details, accurately tell the difference between similar things, and make intelligent judgements by using such observations. Discerning is also the continuous (-ing) form of the verb discern. As an adjective, it can be used to describe someone who has the ability to discern or to describe such an ability. 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. A close synonym of discerning is discriminating (not in the prejudicial sense). Example: Most chefs have a very discerning sense of taste.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of discerning
Explanation
Discerning people pick up on subtle traits and are good judges of quality — they're the ones who can tell if your cupcakes are homemade from the finest ingredients or totally from a box mix. Discerning is an adjective that comes from the Old French discerner, meaning to “distinguish (between), separate (by sifting)” — which makes sense, because someone with discerning tastes or a discerning eye is good at distinguishing the good from the bad and sifting out the gems from the junk. If you're an ace at picking out fabulous fabrics, accessories, and shoes when you get dressed each morning, you probably have discerning fashion sense.
Vocabulary lists containing discerning
Leadership Vocabulary
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 1
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Vocabulary from poems by Emily Dickinson
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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.
Anyone with a slightly discerning eye can see this is a puff piece, a two-hour-long greatest hits CD.
From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026
For a discerning shopper, there is now rare value in Europe’s top luxury houses.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Investors have become far more discerning about IPOs.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
In years past, she said in a post on X, women would throng textile stores, giving a discerning touch to the fabric they would purchase for newlyweds.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
Despite these precautions, from the very first day, the headmistress had no trouble discerning the eccentricities of her new pupil.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
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.
