Word
discuss
Phoneticsdis·cuss, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈskəs/
UK/dɪskˈʌs/
Definitions
01to talk about a topic
A2 · Elementary
v. to talk about something with other people to exchange ideas or reach a decision.
v. to converse or debate concerning a particular topic. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the subject of conversation.
“The manager wants to discuss the new schedule with the team tomorrow.”
“The board members met for several hours to discuss the potential implications of the merger on the company's long-term stability.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and does not take the preposition 'about'.
Pitfall
We need to discuss about the new project.
We need to discuss the new project.
Do not use 'about' after discuss. The verb takes the object directly.
02to exhaust legal remedies
C2 · Proficiency Law Technical · Formal
v. to check all the ways to get money from a person who owes it before asking someone else to pay.
v. to examine or search thoroughly; specifically, to exhaust a remedy against a principal debtor before proceeding against a surety.
“The bank must discuss the debtor's own property before they can take money from the person who signed for the loan.”
“Under the terms of the guarantee, the creditor is obliged to discuss the assets of the principal debtor before seeking satisfaction from the guarantor.”
Usage
Used primarily in civil law jurisdictions regarding the 'benefit of discussion'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “discuss” in context.
Confusables
Discuss is a transitive verb that takes a direct object, while talk about requires a prepositional phrase.
RememberDiscuss the plan; talk about the plan.
Etymology
From Middle English discussen, from Middle French and Anglo-Norman discusser (French discuter), from Latin discussus, past participle of discutiō (“to strike or shake apart, break up, scatter; examine, discuss”), from dis- (“apart”) + quatiō (“to shake”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/discuss