Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Exhibiting keen insight and good judgment; perceptive.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Having power to discern; discriminating; penetrating; acute: as, a discerning man; a discerning mind.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Acute; shrewd; sagacious; sharp-sighted.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of discern.
  • adjective Of keen insight or good judgement; perceptive.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective quick to understand
  • adjective having or revealing keen insight and good judgment
  • adjective unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic
  • adjective able to make or detect effects of great subtlety; sensitive

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Sometimes prisoners lie and sometimes their jailers do, but Dr. Brooks and his fellow warriors for the Lord haven't had much success in discerning which is which.

    rotten fruit 2005

  • Williams honestly believes that as cantuar, and as a member of the Church Catholic, he is called to participate with others in discerning the mind of the Church, responsive to the will of God.

    Letters to the Editor 2009

  • As host of the "Explore Your Spirit with Kala" show and author of the award-winning "9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled," "Ghosthunting North Carolina" and "The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body," Kala Ambrose's wisdom teachings are described as discerning, empowering and inspiring.

    Kala Ambrose: Create a Seed Planting Ceremony for Reflection, Connection and Introspection Kala Ambrose 2011

  • As host of the "Explore Your Spirit with Kala" show and author of the award-winning "9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled," "Ghosthunting North Carolina" and "The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body," Kala Ambrose's wisdom teachings are described as discerning, empowering and inspiring.

    Kala Ambrose: Create a Seed Planting Ceremony for Reflection, Connection and Introspection Kala Ambrose 2011

  • Clerval, whose eyes and feelings were always quick in discerning the sensations of others, declined the subject, alleging, in excuse, his total ignorance; and the conversation took a more general turn.

    Chapter 5 2010

  • Clerval, whose eyes and feelings were always quick in discerning the sensations of others, declined the subject, alleging, in excuse, his total ignorance; and the conversation took a more general turn.

    Chapter 6 2010

  • Williams honestly believes that as cantuar, and as a member of the Church Catholic, he is called to participate with others in discerning the mind of the Church, responsive to the will of God.

    Letters to the Editor 2009

  • Did you know that a shot of espresso is so volatile that after seven seconds standing, it will taste significantly less good to certain discerning consumers?

    Jilly Gagnon: Degrees You Can Use! Jilly Gagnon 2010

  • As host of the "Explore Your Spirit with Kala" show and author of the award-winning "9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled," "Ghosthunting North Carolina" and "The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body," Kala Ambrose's wisdom teachings are described as discerning, empowering and inspiring.

    Kala Ambrose: Embracing the Local in a Global World Kala Ambrose 2012

  • Did you know that a shot of espresso is so volatile that after seven seconds standing, it will taste significantly less good to certain discerning consumers?

    Jilly Gagnon: Degrees You Can Use! Jilly Gagnon 2010

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