Definition of discern

"discern" in the verb sense

1. spot, recognize, recognise, distinguish, discern, pick out, make out, tell apart

detect with the senses

"The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards"

"I can't make out the faces in this photograph"

Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)

Princeton University "About WordNet®."
WordNet®. Princeton University. 2010.


View WordNet® License

Quotations for discern

With eyes
Of microscopic power, that could discern
The population of a dew-drop. [ James Montgomery ]

Whoever may
Discern true ends will grow pure enough
To love them, brave enough to strive for them,
And strong enough to reach them, though the road be rough. [ E. B. Browning ]

One may discern an ass shrouded in a lion's skin without spectacles. [ Proverb ]

What doth better become wisdom than to discern what is worthy the living. [ Sir P. Sidney ]

No cloud can overshadow a true Christian, but his faith will discern a rainbow in it. [ Bishop Horne ]

The first point of wisdom is to discern that which is false; the second, to know that which is true. [ Lactantius ]

Nature and Heaven command you, at your peril, to discern worth from unworth in everything, and most of all in man. [ John Ruskin ]

Ability to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false, is the characteristic of intelligence. [ Swedenborg ]

Prudence is that virtue by which we discern what is proper to be done under the various circumstances of time and place. [ Milton ]

Invention is activity of mind, as fire is air in motion; a sharpening of the spiritual sight, to discern hidden aptitudes. [ Tupper ]

To be able to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false, - this is the mark and character of intelligence. [ Ralph Waldo Emerson ]

The true strength of every human soul is to be dependent on as many nobler as it can discern, and to be depended upon by as many inferior as it can reach. [ John Ruskin ]

It is no proof of a man's understanding to be able to confirm whatever he pleases; but to be able to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false, this is the mark and character of intelligence. [ Swedenborg ]

Taste, if it mean anything but a paltry connoisseurship, must mean a general susceptibility to truth and nobleness; a sense to discern and a heart to love and reverence all beauty, order, goodness, wheresoever found and in whatsoever form and accompaniment. [ Carlyle ]

If the eye were so acute as to rival the finest microscope, and to discern the smallest hair upon the leg of a gnat, it would be a curse, and not a blessing to us; it would make all things appear rugged and deformed; the most finely polished crystal would be uneven and rough; the sight of our own selves would affright us; the smoothest skin would be beset all over with rugged scales and bristly hair. [ Bentley ]

discern in Scrabble®

The word discern is playable in Scrabble®, no blanks required.

Scrabble® Letter Score: 10

Highest Scoring Scrabble® Plays In The Letters discern:

RESCIND
(90 = 40 + 50)
CINDERS
(90 = 40 + 50)
DISCERN
(90 = 40 + 50)

Seven Letter Word Alert: (3 words)

cinders, discern, rescind

 

All Scrabble® Plays For The Word discern

DISCERN
(90 = 40 + 50)
DISCERN
(89 = 39 + 50)
DISCERN
(89 = 39 + 50)
DISCERN
(86 = 36 + 50)
DISCERN
(83 = 33 + 50)
DISCERN
(83 = 33 + 50)
DISCERN
(83 = 33 + 50)
DISCERN
(83 = 33 + 50)
DISCERN
(83 = 33 + 50)
DISCERN
(80 = 30 + 50)
DISCERN
(76 = 26 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISCERN
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISCERN
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISCERN
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISCERN
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISCERN
(66 = 16 + 50)
DISCERN
(66 = 16 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(63 = 13 + 50)
DISCERN
(63 = 13 + 50)
DISCERN
(62 = 12 + 50)
DISCERN
(62 = 12 + 50)
DISCERN
(62 = 12 + 50)

The 200 Highest Scoring Scrabble® Plays For Words Using The Letters In discern

RESCIND
(90 = 40 + 50)
CINDERS
(90 = 40 + 50)
DISCERN
(90 = 40 + 50)
CINDERS
(89 = 39 + 50)
DISCERN
(89 = 39 + 50)
RESCIND
(89 = 39 + 50)
DISCERN
(89 = 39 + 50)
RESCIND
(89 = 39 + 50)
CINDERS
(86 = 36 + 50)
CINDERS
(86 = 36 + 50)
DISCERN
(86 = 36 + 50)
RESCIND
(86 = 36 + 50)
DISCERN
(83 = 33 + 50)
DISCERN
(83 = 33 + 50)
DISCERN
(83 = 33 + 50)
DISCERN
(83 = 33 + 50)
RESCIND
(83 = 33 + 50)
CINDERS
(83 = 33 + 50)
CINDERS
(83 = 33 + 50)
CINDERS
(83 = 33 + 50)
CINDERS
(83 = 33 + 50)
RESCIND
(83 = 33 + 50)
DISCERN
(83 = 33 + 50)
RESCIND
(83 = 33 + 50)
RESCIND
(83 = 33 + 50)
CINDERS
(83 = 33 + 50)
RESCIND
(83 = 33 + 50)
DISCERN
(80 = 30 + 50)
RESCIND
(80 = 30 + 50)
CINDERS
(80 = 30 + 50)
CINDERS
(78 = 28 + 50)
CINDERS
(76 = 26 + 50)
CINDERS
(76 = 26 + 50)
DISCERN
(76 = 26 + 50)
RESCIND
(76 = 26 + 50)
RESCIND
(74 = 24 + 50)
RESCIND
(74 = 24 + 50)
CINDERS
(74 = 24 + 50)
RESCIND
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
RESCIND
(74 = 24 + 50)
RESCIND
(74 = 24 + 50)
CINDERS
(74 = 24 + 50)
RESCIND
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
RESCIND
(74 = 24 + 50)
CINDERS
(74 = 24 + 50)
CINDERS
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
CINDERS
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
DISCERN
(74 = 24 + 50)
CINDERS
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
RESCIND
(72 = 22 + 50)
RESCIND
(72 = 22 + 50)
CINDERS
(72 = 22 + 50)
RESCIND
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
RESCIND
(72 = 22 + 50)
CINDERS
(72 = 22 + 50)
CINDERS
(72 = 22 + 50)
RESCIND
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISCERN
(72 = 22 + 50)
CINDERS
(72 = 22 + 50)
RESCIND
(72 = 22 + 50)
CINDERS
(72 = 22 + 50)
RESCIND
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISCERN
(70 = 20 + 50)
CINDERS
(70 = 20 + 50)
CINDERS
(70 = 20 + 50)
CINDERS
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISCERN
(70 = 20 + 50)
CINDERS
(70 = 20 + 50)
RESCIND
(70 = 20 + 50)
CINDERS
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISCERN
(70 = 20 + 50)
RESCIND
(70 = 20 + 50)
RESCIND
(70 = 20 + 50)
RESCIND
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISCERN
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISCERN
(70 = 20 + 50)
CINDERS
(68 = 18 + 50)
DISCERN
(66 = 16 + 50)
DISCERN
(66 = 16 + 50)
RESCIND
(66 = 16 + 50)
RESCIND
(66 = 16 + 50)
CINDERS
(65 = 15 + 50)
CINDERS
(65 = 15 + 50)
RESCIND
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
RESCIND
(64 = 14 + 50)
RESCIND
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
CINDERS
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
RESCIND
(64 = 14 + 50)
RESCIND
(64 = 14 + 50)
CINDERS
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
CINDERS
(64 = 14 + 50)
CINDERS
(64 = 14 + 50)
DISCERN
(64 = 14 + 50)
RESCIND
(64 = 14 + 50)
RESCIND
(63 = 13 + 50)
CINDERS
(63 = 13 + 50)
DISCERN
(63 = 13 + 50)
CINDERS
(63 = 13 + 50)
RESCIND
(63 = 13 + 50)
DISCERN
(63 = 13 + 50)
CINDERS
(62 = 12 + 50)
DISCERN
(62 = 12 + 50)
CINDERS
(62 = 12 + 50)
RESCIND
(62 = 12 + 50)
CINDERS
(62 = 12 + 50)
DISCERN
(62 = 12 + 50)
RESCIND
(62 = 12 + 50)
RESCIND
(62 = 12 + 50)
CINDERS
(62 = 12 + 50)
DISCERN
(62 = 12 + 50)
CIDERS
(36)
CINDER
(36)
DICERS
(36)
SCRIED
(36)
CEDIS
(33)
SCRIED
(33)
CINDER
(33)
CRIED
(33)
CIDERS
(33)
CIDER
(33)
DICERS
(33)
CINDER
(30)
CINDER
(30)
SCRIED
(30)
SCRIED
(30)
CIDERS
(30)
CINDER
(30)
CIDERS
(30)
SCRIED
(30)
DICERS
(30)
CEDI
(30)
DICERS
(30)
DICERS
(30)
DICERS
(30)
DICES
(30)
DICER
(30)
SCRIED
(30)
DISC
(30)
CIDERS
(30)
CIDERS
(30)
CIDERS
(30)
ICERS
(30)
SCRIED
(30)
CRIED
(30)
SINCE
(30)
CINDER
(30)
CRIES
(30)
RICED
(30)
CINDER
(30)
CRIED
(28)
CIDER
(28)
CEDIS
(28)
DICERS
(27)
RICED
(27)
CRIED
(27)
RICED
(27)
ICED
(27)
RICED
(27)
DICERS
(27)
DICES
(27)
DINERS
(27)
DICES
(27)
DICER
(27)
DICER
(27)
SCRIED
(27)
DICER
(27)
DICE
(27)
CRIED
(27)
SCRIED
(27)
RINSED
(27)
DICES
(27)
SNIDER
(27)
CEDIS
(27)
CINDER
(27)
DISC
(27)
CINDER
(27)
CIDERS
(27)
CIDERS
(27)
CIDER
(27)
CIDER
(27)
CIDER
(27)
CEDIS
(27)
CEDIS
(27)
DICERS
(26)

discern in Words With Friends™

The word discern is playable in Words With Friends™, no blanks required.

Words With Friends™ Letter Score: 12

Highest Scoring Words With Friends™ Plays In The Letters discern:

RESCIND
(107 = 72 + 35)
CINDERS
(107 = 72 + 35)

Seven Letter Word Alert: (3 words)

cinders, discern, rescind

 

All Words With Friends™ Plays For The Word discern

DISCERN
(101 = 66 + 35)
DISCERN
(101 = 66 + 35)
DISCERN
(95 = 60 + 35)
DISCERN
(95 = 60 + 35)
DISCERN
(89 = 54 + 35)
DISCERN
(89 = 54 + 35)
DISCERN
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISCERN
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISCERN
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISCERN
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISCERN
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISCERN
(77 = 42 + 35)
DISCERN
(77 = 42 + 35)
DISCERN
(67 = 32 + 35)
DISCERN
(67 = 32 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(61 = 26 + 35)
DISCERN
(61 = 26 + 35)
DISCERN
(61 = 26 + 35)
DISCERN
(61 = 26 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(55 = 20 + 35)
DISCERN
(53 = 18 + 35)
DISCERN
(53 = 18 + 35)
DISCERN
(53 = 18 + 35)
DISCERN
(53 = 18 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(51 = 16 + 35)
DISCERN
(51 = 16 + 35)
DISCERN
(51 = 16 + 35)
DISCERN
(51 = 16 + 35)
DISCERN
(50 = 15 + 35)
DISCERN
(50 = 15 + 35)
DISCERN
(49 = 14 + 35)
DISCERN
(49 = 14 + 35)
DISCERN
(49 = 14 + 35)
DISCERN
(49 = 14 + 35)
DISCERN
(48 = 13 + 35)
DISCERN
(48 = 13 + 35)
DISCERN
(48 = 13 + 35)
DISCERN
(48 = 13 + 35)
DISCERN
(47 = 12 + 35)

The 200 Highest Scoring Words With Friends™ Plays Using The Letters In discern

RESCIND
(107 = 72 + 35)
CINDERS
(107 = 72 + 35)
DISCERN
(101 = 66 + 35)
DISCERN
(101 = 66 + 35)
RESCIND
(101 = 66 + 35)
DISCERN
(95 = 60 + 35)
CINDERS
(95 = 60 + 35)
RESCIND
(95 = 60 + 35)
DISCERN
(95 = 60 + 35)
RESCIND
(95 = 60 + 35)
DISCERN
(89 = 54 + 35)
CINDERS
(89 = 54 + 35)
CINDERS
(89 = 54 + 35)
RESCIND
(89 = 54 + 35)
DISCERN
(89 = 54 + 35)
RESCIND
(83 = 48 + 35)
RESCIND
(83 = 48 + 35)
RESCIND
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISCERN
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISCERN
(83 = 48 + 35)
RESCIND
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISCERN
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISCERN
(83 = 48 + 35)
CINDERS
(83 = 48 + 35)
CINDERS
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISCERN
(83 = 48 + 35)
CINDERS
(83 = 48 + 35)
RESCIND
(83 = 48 + 35)
CINDERS
(83 = 48 + 35)
CINDERS
(83 = 48 + 35)
CINDERS
(83 = 48 + 35)
RESCIND
(83 = 48 + 35)
RESCIND
(77 = 42 + 35)
CINDERS
(77 = 42 + 35)
RESCIND
(77 = 42 + 35)
DISCERN
(77 = 42 + 35)
DISCERN
(77 = 42 + 35)
CINDERS
(77 = 42 + 35)
CINDERS
(77 = 42 + 35)
CINDERS
(75 = 40 + 35)
CINDER
(69)
RESCIND
(67 = 32 + 35)
DISCERN
(67 = 32 + 35)
DISCERN
(67 = 32 + 35)
CINDERS
(67 = 32 + 35)
RESCIND
(67 = 32 + 35)
CINDERS
(67 = 32 + 35)
CIDERS
(66)
DICERS
(66)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
CINDERS
(63 = 28 + 35)
CINDERS
(63 = 28 + 35)
RESCIND
(63 = 28 + 35)
CINDERS
(63 = 28 + 35)
RESCIND
(63 = 28 + 35)
RESCIND
(63 = 28 + 35)
RESCIND
(63 = 28 + 35)
RESCIND
(63 = 28 + 35)
CINDERS
(63 = 28 + 35)
RESCIND
(63 = 28 + 35)
CINDERS
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
DISCERN
(63 = 28 + 35)
RESCIND
(61 = 26 + 35)
DISCERN
(61 = 26 + 35)
CINDERS
(61 = 26 + 35)
RESCIND
(61 = 26 + 35)
RESCIND
(61 = 26 + 35)
DISCERN
(61 = 26 + 35)
RESCIND
(61 = 26 + 35)
CINDERS
(61 = 26 + 35)
DISCERN
(61 = 26 + 35)
CINDERS
(61 = 26 + 35)
CINDERS
(61 = 26 + 35)
DISCERN
(61 = 26 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
RESCIND
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
RESCIND
(59 = 24 + 35)
CINDERS
(59 = 24 + 35)
RESCIND
(59 = 24 + 35)
RESCIND
(59 = 24 + 35)
RESCIND
(59 = 24 + 35)
RESCIND
(59 = 24 + 35)
CINDERS
(59 = 24 + 35)
CINDERS
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
CINDERS
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
CINDERS
(59 = 24 + 35)
DISCERN
(59 = 24 + 35)
CINDERS
(59 = 24 + 35)
CINDERS
(59 = 24 + 35)
RESCIND
(59 = 24 + 35)
CINDER
(57)
CINDERS
(57 = 22 + 35)
CINDERS
(56 = 21 + 35)
RESCIND
(55 = 20 + 35)
DISCERN
(55 = 20 + 35)
DICERS
(54)
CIDERS
(54)
SCRIED
(54)
CINDERS
(54 = 19 + 35)
RESCIND
(53 = 18 + 35)
RESCIND
(53 = 18 + 35)
CINDERS
(53 = 18 + 35)
DISCERN
(53 = 18 + 35)
DISCERN
(53 = 18 + 35)
RESCIND
(53 = 18 + 35)
CINDERS
(53 = 18 + 35)
CINDERS
(53 = 18 + 35)
DISCERN
(53 = 18 + 35)
DISCERN
(53 = 18 + 35)
RESCIND
(53 = 18 + 35)
CINDERS
(53 = 18 + 35)
CINDERS
(52 = 17 + 35)
CINDERS
(52 = 17 + 35)
RESCIND
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
RESCIND
(52 = 17 + 35)
RESCIND
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(52 = 17 + 35)
DISCERN
(51 = 16 + 35)
RESCIND
(51 = 16 + 35)
CINDERS
(51 = 16 + 35)
CINDERS
(51 = 16 + 35)
CINDERS
(51 = 16 + 35)
CINDER
(51)
CIDER
(51)
DISCERN
(51 = 16 + 35)
RESCIND
(51 = 16 + 35)
SINCE
(51)
RESCIND
(51 = 16 + 35)
DISCERN
(51 = 16 + 35)
DISCERN
(51 = 16 + 35)
RESCIND
(51 = 16 + 35)
CRIED
(51)
RESCIND
(51 = 16 + 35)
CEDIS
(51)
CINDERS
(50 = 15 + 35)
CINDERS
(50 = 15 + 35)
RESCIND
(50 = 15 + 35)
CINDERS
(50 = 15 + 35)
CINDERS
(50 = 15 + 35)
CINDERS
(50 = 15 + 35)
RESCIND
(50 = 15 + 35)
CINDERS
(50 = 15 + 35)
RESCIND
(50 = 15 + 35)
DISCERN
(50 = 15 + 35)
RESCIND
(50 = 15 + 35)
RESCIND
(50 = 15 + 35)
DISCERN
(50 = 15 + 35)
DISCERN
(49 = 14 + 35)
CINDERS
(49 = 14 + 35)
RESCIND
(49 = 14 + 35)
DISCERN
(49 = 14 + 35)
RESCIND
(49 = 14 + 35)
DISCERN
(49 = 14 + 35)
DISCERN
(49 = 14 + 35)
RESCIND
(49 = 14 + 35)
RESCIND
(49 = 14 + 35)
CINDERS
(49 = 14 + 35)
CINDERS
(49 = 14 + 35)
CINDERS
(49 = 14 + 35)
CINDERS
(48 = 13 + 35)
CINDERS
(48 = 13 + 35)
ICERS
(48)
SCRIED
(48)
RESCIND
(48 = 13 + 35)
DINERS
(48)
CRIES
(48)
DISCERN
(48 = 13 + 35)
CEDI
(48)
DISCERN
(48 = 13 + 35)
DISC
(48)
RESCIND
(48 = 13 + 35)
CINDERS
(48 = 13 + 35)
DISCERN
(48 = 13 + 35)
DISCERN
(48 = 13 + 35)
RESCIND
(48 = 13 + 35)
CINDERS
(47 = 12 + 35)
RESCIND
(47 = 12 + 35)
DISCERN
(47 = 12 + 35)
CINDER
(45)
CINDER
(45)
CINDER
(44)
CINDER
(44)
DICERS
(42)
DICERS
(42)
SNIDER
(42)
CIDERS
(42)

Word Growth involving discern

Shorter words in discern

is disc

Longer words containing discern

discernable discernableness

discernable undiscernable

discernably undiscernably

discerned undiscerned undiscernedly

discerner discerners

discernibility

discernible discernibleness undiscernibleness

discernible indiscernible

discernible undiscernible undiscernibleness

discernibly undiscernibly

discerning discerningly undiscerningly

discerning undiscerning undiscerningly

discerning undiscerning undiscerningness

discernment discernments

discerns