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
- discussable adjective
- discussant noun
- discusser noun
- discussible adjective
- nondiscussible adjective
- overdiscuss verb (used with object)
- prediscuss verb (used with object)
- rediscuss verb (used with object)
- undiscussable adjective
- undiscussible adjective
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”)
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.
For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, Emily, John, and David discuss the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission to the Moon.
From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026
Lord Mandelson also appeared to discuss a tax on bankers' bonuses and confirm an imminent bailout package for the Euro on the day before it was announced in 2010.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
The court didn’t discuss that line of argument very thoroughly.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Since then, the 79-year-old Republican has rarely missed an opportunity to discuss the project, frequently meandering in mid-speech on other topics to riff about the architectural details of the proposed facility.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
“Can we have a moment to discuss this? Alone?”
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
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.
