Discernment Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/dɪsˈɜːrmənt/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

The quality of being perceptive, discerning, and having a keen understanding of people, things, and situations, often involving intuition and sound judgment.

Examples

• She possesses great discernment when it comes to making business decisions.
• Her discernment allowed her to see through the deceptive marketing tactics.
• The detective’s discernment was crucial in solving the crime.
• Her friends admired her discernment in choosing the right path for her life.
• The skillful politician demonstrated excellent discernment in navigating the complex political landscape.
• The coach praised the player’s discernment, saying he can read the game like a book.

Synonyms

• Insight
• Judgment
• Perception
• Discrimination

Antonyms

• Ignorance
• Naivety
• Impulsiveness
• Oversight

Additional Information

Discernment requires a combination of intellectual and emotional intelligence. It is often developed through life experiences, education, and practice in decision-making. Effective discernment can be a vital tool in personal and professional settings, as it enables individuals to make informed choices and navigate complex situations.

Etymology

The word “discernment” comes from the Old French word “descernement,” meaning “distinction” or “separation.” It has been in use in the English language since the 14th century.

Usage Notes

Discernment can be used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to the quality of being perceptive, while as a verb, it means to distinguish or recognize something.

Cultural References

Discernment has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the context of education, spirituality, and personal development.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Exercise your discernment” (to carefully consider something).
• “Don’t judge a book by its cover; use your discernment” (don’t make assumptions based on appearances alone).

Related Words or Phrases

• Intuition
• Judgment
• Insight
• Discrimination

Collocations

• to exercise one’s discernment
• to demonstrate discernment
• to use one’s discernment
• to lack discernment

Frequency of Use

Discernment is a moderately common word in modern language, often used in formal and informal contexts.

Common Misspellings

• Discernement
• Discrimination
• Descreation