discerning

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.

The first records of discerning as an adjective come from the 1600s. It derives from the Latin discernere, meaning “to separate” or “to divide,” from dis-, meaning “apart,” and cernere, “to separate.”

To be discerning is to be able to tell things apart—to separate them, even when they appear to be very similar. People who are discerning are able to make keen observations about things. A person with a discerning palate may be able to discern flavors that others cannot. This ability is often associated with wisdom and experience. Being 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 discerning? 

• discerningly (adverb)
• nondiscerning (adjective)
• undiscerning (adjective)
• undiscerningly (adverb)
• discern (verb)

What are some synonyms for discerning?

• discriminating

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

• discernment
• discernible

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

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

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

Discerning reader pro-tip: When a daily newsletter comes out at exactly the same time every morning, you know its editors are putting it to bed before they go to sleep themselves, and it doesn’t contain that day’s most recent developments.

— Tom Angell 🌳📰ⓥ (@tomangell) September 18, 2018

Investors who once blindly piled in to commercial property are likely to think twice now. The result could be a more discerning investment approach https://t.co/aN29qU6hQW

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) June 28, 2020

A discerning palate is prime cat behavior. Lots of people dismiss it as 'finicky' which isn't fair to our feline friends. I look at as something as simple as soda from a can, bottle or tap. There's a difference!

— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) July 14, 2020

Which of the following actions is NOT associated with someone who’s discerning? 

A. differentiating
B. distinguishing
C. discriminating
D. ignoring