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Synonyms
knowledgeable
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discerning
[
dih-
sur
-ning
,
-
zur
-
]
Example Sentences
Origin
dis·cern·ing
/
dɪˈsɜr
nɪŋ
,
-ˈzɜr-
/
Show Spelled
[
dih-
sur
-ning
,
-
zur
-
]
Show IPA
adjective
showing good or outstanding judgment and understanding:
a discerning critic of French poetry.
Origin:
1600–10;
discern
+
-ing
2
Related forms
dis·cern·ing·ly,
adverb
non·dis·cern·ing,
adjective
un·dis·cern·ing,
adjective
un·dis·cern·ing·ly,
adverb
Synonyms
perceptive, keen, sharp, discriminating.
:10
:09
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:07
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:05
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Discerning
is always a great word to know.
So is
ninnyhammer
. Does it mean:
So is
quincunx
. Does it mean:
So is
zedonk
. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Example Sentences
Let us all try to be more
discerning
.
I've never had trouble
discerning
the two.
The general public is far more
discerning
than the literary elite.
EXPAND
Adjective
Let us all try to be more
discerning
.
I've never had trouble
discerning
the two.
The general public is far more
discerning
than the literary elite.
Good to see that some people out there actually have a
discerning
view of commodities.
Thank you for this refreshing bit of logical,
discerning
analysis.
It follows, then, that their appraisals are as
discerning
as human judgment can be.
There are gems to be found for the
discerning
shopper, though.
You assume the public is capable of
discerning
fact from fiction.
She's also blessed with a
discerning
palate.
It seems that ordinary people are now at odds - and more
discerning
- than the pundits, talking heads and scribblers.
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
dis·cern
/
dɪˈsɜrn
,
-ˈzɜrn
/
Show Spelled
[
dih-
surn
,
-
zurn
]
Show IPA
verb (used with object)
1.
to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; see, recognize, or apprehend:
They discerned a sail on the horizon.
2.
to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different; discriminate:
He is incapable of discerning right from wrong.
verb (used without object)
3.
to distinguish or discriminate.
Origin:
1300–50;
Middle English
(<
Old French
) <
Latin
discernere
to separate, equivalent to
dis-
dis-
1
+
cernere
to separate
Related forms
dis·cern·er,
noun
pre·dis·cern,
verb (used with object)
un·dis·cerned,
adjective
Synonyms
1.
discover, descry, espy.
See
notice.
2, 3.
differentiate, judge.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
|
Link To
discerning
Collins
World English Dictionary
discerning
(dɪˈsɜːnɪŋ)
—
adj
having or showing good taste or judgment; discriminating
dis'cerningly
—
adv
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
discern
late 14c., from O.Fr. discerner "distinguish, separate" (by sifting), from L. discernere, from dis- "off, away" + cernere "distinguish, separate, sift" (see
crisis
). Related: Discerned.
EXPAND
discerning
c.1500, "discerning," a verbal noun from
discern
. As a pp. adj., attested from c.1600.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
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Matching Quote
"I give you a wise and
discerning
mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you."
-unknown author
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