# discuss

/dɪˈskəs/ (US) · /dɪskˈʌs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/discuss
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to talk about a topic

verb · CEFR A2

to talk about something with other people to exchange ideas or reach a decision.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. to exhaust legal remedies

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

to check all the ways to get money from a person who owes it before asking someone else to pay.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- We need to discuss the new plan tomorrow.
- The committee met for three hours to discuss the proposed changes to the local park.
- While the initial report identifies several key issues, the board must discuss the long-term financial implications before committing to a final strategy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.