DISCUSS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does discuss mean? 

• DISCUSS (verb)
  The verb DISCUSS has 2 senses:

1. to consider or examine in speech or writing

2. speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion

  Familiarity information: DISCUSS used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISCUSS (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they discuss    ... he / she / it discusses   
Past simple: discussed   
Past participle: discussed   
-ing form: discussing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

To consider or examine in speech or writing

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

discourse; discuss; talk about

Context example:

The class discussed Dante's 'Inferno'

Hypernyms (to "discuss" is one way to...):

address; cover; deal; handle; plow; treat (act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "discuss"):

descant (talk at great length about something of one's interest)

talk shop (discuss matters that are related to work)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

discussion (an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

discuss; hash out; talk over

Context example:

We discussed our household budget

Hypernyms (to "discuss" is one way to...):

talk about; talk of (discuss or mention)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "discuss"):

negociate; negotiate; talk terms (discuss the terms of an arrangement)

negociate (confer with another in order to come to terms or reach an agreement)

powwow (hold a powwow, talk, conference or meeting)

debate; deliberate (discuss the pros and cons of an issue)

consider; debate; deliberate; moot; turn over (think about carefully; weigh)

bandy; kick around (discuss lightly)

chair; lead; moderate (preside over)

advise; counsel; rede (give advice to)

confab; confabulate; confer; consult (have a conference in order to talk something over)

broach; initiate (bring up a topic for discussion)

bandy about (discuss casually)

hammer out; thrash out (discuss vehemently in order to reach a solution or an agreement)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

Sam cannot discuss Sue
Sam wants to discuss with Sue

Derivation:

discussant (a participant in a formal discussion)

discussion (an exchange of views on some topic)

 Context examples 

For a good while we sat and smoked, discussing the matter in its various lights and bearings; I took the opportunity of bringing this diary right up to the moment.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Earlier, I had skipped over talking about the full moon, December 11, so let’s discuss that now.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

She put aside her work, as she was used to do when we were seriously discussing anything; and gave me her whole attention.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

On her left were two matrons, with massive foreheads and bonnets to match, discussing Women's Rights and making tatting.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Never had Martin, at the Morses', heard so amazing a range of topics discussed.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

In the gloomier scenarios discussed in the report, sea levels could rise 40 centimeters by 2050, causing losses of up to $1.2 billion in the 22 largest coastal cities in Latin America.

(Brazil's coastal cities more vulnerable to climate change, Agência Brasil)

Be quite friendly with him, talk with him, discuss literature and art with him—he is fond of such things.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It seems dreadful to discuss the conduct of one’s wife with two men whom I have never seen before.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then, in his last breath, he tried to send a message that it was she—the she whom he had just discussed with him.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)