discerning

/dəˈsʌrnɪŋ/

/dɪˈsʌnɪŋ/

Other forms: discerningly

Discerning people pick up on subtle traits and are good judges of quality — they're the ones who can tell if your cupcakes are homemade from the finest ingredients or totally from a box mix.

Discerning is an adjective that comes from the Old French discerner, meaning to “distinguish (between), separate (by sifting)” — which makes sense, because someone with discerning tastes or a discerning eye is good at distinguishing the good from the bad and sifting out the gems from the junk. If you're an ace at picking out fabulous fabrics, accessories, and shoes when you get dressed each morning, you probably have discerning fashion sense.

Definitions of discerning

1. adjective

   having or revealing keen insight and good judgment
   “a discerning critic”

   “a discerning reader”

   synonyms:

   critical

   characterized by careful evaluation and judgment

   clear, percipient

   characterized by ease and quickness in perceiving

   clear-eyed, clear-sighted, perspicacious

   mentally acute or penetratingly discerning

   prescient

   perceiving the significance of events before they occur

   discriminant, discriminating

   showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment especially in matters of taste

   antonyms:

   undiscerning

   lacking discernment

   obtuse, purblind

   lacking in insight or discernment

   uncomprehending

   lacking understanding

   indiscriminate

   not marked by fine distinctions
2. adjective

   quick to understand
   synonyms: apprehensive

   perceptive

   having the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment
3. adjective

   unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic
   “a discerning editor”

   synonyms: discreet

   tactful

   having or showing a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others
4. adjective

   able to make or detect effects of great subtlety; sensitive
   “discerning taste”

   “a discerning eye for color”

   synonyms:

   discriminant, discriminating

   showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment especially in matters of taste