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discernible
[ dih-sur-nuh-buhl, -zur- ]
discernible
/ dɪˈsɜːnəbəl /
adjective
- able to be discerned; perceptible
Derived Forms
- disˈcernibly, adverb
Other Words From
- dis·cerni·ble·ness dis·cerna·ble·ness noun
- dis·cerni·bly dis·cerna·bly adverb
- undis·cerna·ble adjective
- undis·cerna·bly adverb
- undis·cerni·ble adjective
- undis·cerni·bly adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of discernible1
Example Sentences
Behind her, on a chest of drawers, is a photograph, clearly discernible despite the low lighting.
The video is grainy, but Dave Roberts’ thin mustache and Aaron Boone’s peach fuzz are discernible.
Human interplanetary exploration will be more dangerous and more costly, especially if robots can do the work, and the lack of a discernible economic return a greater obstacle.
The aide said that guys like me were 'in what we call the reality-based community,' which he defined as people who 'believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.'
The department’s director told the Columbus Dispatch that his agency hasn’t seen any “measurable or discernible increase” in vaccine-preventable illnesses, a category that includes TB.
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Related Words
More About Discernible
What does discernible mean?
Discernible means able to be recognized, identified, or distinguished. If two things are described as discernible, it means they can be told apart.
The verb discern means to recognize small details, accurately tell the difference between similar things, and make intelligent judgements by using such observations.
Discernible is sometimes spelled as discernable. A close synonym is distinguishable.
Discernible is especially used with the word difference, as in There is no discernable difference between these two things.
The ability to discern or the process of doing so is called discernment, as in Only through careful discernment are these two parts discernible.
Discernible means able to be discerned—not able to discern. The word for that is discerning, which can describe someone who has the ability to discern or such an ability, as in Most chefs have a very discerning palate.
Example: These two scents may smell identical to the average person, but they are discernible to an experienced perfumer.
Where does discernible come from?
The first records of the word discernible come from the mid-1500s. Its base word, discern, derives from the Latin term discernere, meaning “to separate” or “to divide,” from dis-, meaning “apart,” and cernere, “to separate.”
To discern is to tell things apart—to separate them, even when they appear to be very similar. Things that are discernible can be identified or separated in this way. This ability is often associated with wisdom and experience. For example, some flavors may only be discernible to a person with a sophisticated or very sensitive palate. For people who are color-blind, some colors are not discernible. When two or more things seem to be exactly the same, people often say that there is no discernible difference between them.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to discernible?
- discernable (alternate spelling)
- discernibly (adverb)
- discernably (adverb)
- undiscernible (adjective)
- undiscernable (adjective)
- undiscernibly (adverb)
- undiscernably (adverb)
- discernibleness (noun)
discernableness (noun) - discern (verb)
What are some synonyms for discernible?
What are some words that share a root or word element with discernible?
What are some words that often get used in discussing discernible?
How is discernible used in real life?
Discernible is a somewhat formal word and is typically used in serious contexts.
As an email addendum, the friend who introduced me to this recommended adding sugar to boost the alcohol content. I don’t know if it works; I’ve done both with no discernible difference.
— Johny Nocash (@JohnyNocash) July 12, 2020
New USGA rule says no penalty if ball movement not discernible to naked eye. In related news, David Blaine is now the Masters favorite.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) November 20, 2013
.@rtraister says that anger can be connective—“If you raise your voice, sometimes other women who are also angry about that same thing can find you. So anger and the expression of it can make you discernible to each other.”
— Celeste Ng (@pronounced_ing) November 17, 2018
Try using discernible!
Which of the following terms does NOT describe something two things that are discernible?
A. able to differentiated
B. distinguishable
C. identifiable
D. identical
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