Discernible

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /dɪˈsɝnɪblÌ©/
• RP IPA: /dɪˈsɜːnɪblÌ©/
• Hyphenation: dis + cern + ible

Origin

From Middle French discernable; spelling changed from -a- to -i- in the 17th century to conform to Latin discernibilis. Synchronically analyzable as discern + -ible.

Full definition of discernible

Adjective

1. Possible to discern; detectable or derivable by use of the senses or the intellect.
   There is a discernible performance difference between a Porsche and a Civic.
• John Duncan, Duncan's TravelsTo have demolished and rebuilt the walls, would have been a very costly expedient, and as the least of two evils, the painter's brush was resorted to; here and there however, above some of the windows, the black wreathings of the smoke are still discernible through the white covering.

Derived terms

• discernibleness
• discernibly
• indiscernible

Related terms

• discernment