discerning

[ dih-sur-ning, -zur- ]

/ dɪˈsɜr nɪŋ, -ˈzɜr- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: discerning / discerningly on Thesaurus.com

adjective

showing good or outstanding judgment and understanding: a discerning critic of French poetry.

OTHER WORDS FOR discerning

perceptive, keen, sharp, discriminating.

See synonyms for discerning on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of discerning

First recorded in 1600–10; discern + -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM discerning

dis·cern·ing·ly, adverbnon·dis·cern·ing, adjectiveun·dis·cern·ing, adjectiveun·dis·cern·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use discerning in a sentence

Sir George, that angel, who deserved the first monarch in the universe, to be cast off by an undiscerning dolt!
Memoirs of Miss Sidney Biddulph|Frances Sheridan
I see in you a new instance of that abuse which is so generally made of talents, the admiration of an undiscerning public.
Caleb Williams|William Godwin
To the undiscerning eye of the vulgar, Philip appeared a monarch no less powerful than Hadrian or Augustus had formerly been.
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire|Edward Gibbon
Courage and endurance, indeed, they may show, and the undiscerning may never note how fell the blow has been.
The Vagabond in Literature|Arthur Rickett

Mrs. Forrester held out her hand to her with the undiscerning kindliness that greets the mere emissary.
Tante|Anne Douglas Sedgwick

British Dictionary definitions for discerning

discerning

/ (dɪˈsɜːnɪŋ) /

adjective

having or showing good taste or judgment; discriminating

Derived forms of discerning

discerningly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

discerning

OTHER WORDS FOR discerning

Origin of discerning

OTHER WORDS FROM discerning

Words related to discerning

How to use discerning in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for discerning

Derived forms of discerning