discern | Definition & Meaning for the SAT
⚡️ DISCERN most nearly means: (A) confuse; (B) distinguish; (C) ignore; (D) create. 👉 Answer + examples, pronunciation, and full SAT explanation inside.
ℹ️ Part of speech of discern
discern is a VERB.
🗣️ Pronunciation of discern
discern is pronounced /dɪ.ˈsɜrn/ or dih-SURN.
📚️ Definition of discern
To perceive, recognize, or distinguish something clearly mentally or with the senses; to detect subtle differences or see what is not immediately obvious. Example: to discern patterns in data.
📰 Examples
Here are some examples of discern in usage:
Even in the fog, the lighthouse keeper could discern the outline of ships approaching.
Oenophiles (wine lovers) can discern even the subtlest flavors in wine. 🍷
Empatheigh could discern the worry in his voice.
People like to think they can discern the difference between name-brand and generic products in blind taste tests, which at least partly accounts for the price premium of such brands as Procter & Gamble and even McDonald's.
✅ Quiz answer
Answer to the question above:
B, distinguish. Explanations: A is the opposite—confuse means to make unclear or mix up, while discern means to see clearly or distinguish. C doesn't work; ignore means to pay no attention to, which is unrelated to perceiving or recognizing. D is incorrect; create means to make something new, not to perceive what's already there.