How to pronounce discern
Say it like dih-SURN. Discern has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SURN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce discern. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- SURN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Discern pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SURNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of discern
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: dih-SURN.
What does discern mean?
- To detect with the senses, especially with the eyes.
- To perceive, recognize, or comprehend with the mind; to descry.
- To distinguish something as being different from something else; to differentiate or discriminate.“He was too young to discern right from wrong.”
Where does discern come from?
From Middle English discernen, from Old French discerner, from Latin discernere (“to separate, divide, distinguish, discern”), from dis- (“apart”) + cernere (“to distinguish”); see certain.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with discern
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of discern.
Questions about saying discern
How do you pronounce discern?
Say dih-SURN. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈsɝn/. In British English it is /dɪˈsɜːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in discern?
Discern has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SURN). Broken into parts: dih · SURN.
Is discern pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /dɪˈsɜːn/ (dih-SURN).