discernible

C2 Topic:Describing People

Also spelled discernable

US /dɪˈsɝnɪbl̩/ UK /dɪˈsɜːnɪbl̩/ See IPA manual

Freq #45964

Meanings

1

adj
perceptible by the senses or intellect

Things happen in the earth and sky with no discernible cause.
2

adj
capable of being seen or noticed

A discernible change in attitude.
3

adj
capable of being perceived clearly

An essay with a meaning that was not always discernible.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · perceptible by the senses... discernable

2 adj · capable of being seen or... evident observable

More distinguishable perceptible audible palpable detectable perceivable seeable spottable

Opposites

indistinguishable imperceivable undistinguishable

Word family

Related forms discernment

Etymology

From Middle French discernable; spelling changed from -a- to -i- in the 17th century to conform to Latin discernibilis. By surface analysis, discern + -ible.

*krey- Proto-Indo-European

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing People Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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