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Definition of discuss verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

discuss

verb
 OPAL WOPAL S
 
/dɪˈskʌs/
 
/dɪˈskʌs/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they discuss
 
/dɪˈskʌs/
 
/dɪˈskʌs/
he / she / it discusses
 
/dɪˈskʌsɪz/
 
/dɪˈskʌsɪz/
past simple discussed
 
/dɪˈskʌst/
 
/dɪˈskʌst/
past participle discussed
 
/dɪˈskʌst/
 
/dɪˈskʌst/
-ing form discussing
 
/dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
 
/dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
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  1.  
     to talk about something with somebody, especially in order to decide something
    • discuss something with somebody Have you discussed the problem with anyone?
    • discuss something I'm not prepared to discuss this on the phone.
    • to discuss the issue/matter/topic
    • to discuss a plan/proposal
    • They met to discuss the possibility of working together.
    • discuss when, what, etc… We need to discuss when we should go.
    • discuss doing something We briefly discussed buying a second car.
    • discuss somebody/something doing something They discussed the whole family possibly travelling together.
    People sometimes say ‘discuss about something’. However, this is still considered incorrect by most people, teachers and in exams. Use discuss or have a discussion about instead: I discussed my problem with my parents. • I had a discussion about my problem with my parents. • I discussed about my problem with my parents.
    Synonyms talktalkdiscuss ▪ speak ▪ communicate ▪ debate ▪ consultThese words all mean to share news, information, ideas or feelings with another person or other people, especially by talking with them.talk to speak in order to give information, express feelings or share ideas:
    • We talked on the phone for over an hour.
    discuss (rather formal) to talk and share ideas on a subject or problem with other people, especially in order to decide something:
    • Have you discussed the problem with anyone?
    You cannot say ‘discuss about something’: I’m not prepared to discuss about this on the phone.     speak to talk to somebody about something; to have a conversation with somebody:
    • I’ve spoken to the manager about it.
    • ‘Can I speak to Susan?’ ‘Speaking.’ (= at the beginning of a phone conversation)
     talk or speak?Speak can suggest a more formal level of communication than talk. You speak to somebody about something to try to achieve a particular goal or to tell them to do something. You talk to somebody in order to be friendly or to ask their advice: Have you talked to your parents about the problems you’re having? • I’ve spoken to Ed about it and he’s promised not to let it happen again. communicate (rather formal) to exchange information or ideas with somebody:
    • We only communicate by email.
    • Dolphins use sound to communicate with each other.
    Communicate is often used when the speaker wants to draw attention to the means of communication used.    debate to discuss something, especially formally, before making a decision or finding a solution:
    • Politicians will be debating the bill later this week.
    consult (rather formal) to discuss something with somebody in order to get their permission for something, or to help you make a decision:
    • You shouldn’t have done it without consulting me.
    Patterns
    • to talk/​discuss something/​speak/​communicate/​debate/​consult with somebody
    • to talk/​speak to somebody
    • to talk/​speak to somebody/​consult somebody about something
    • to talk/​speak of something
    Extra Examples
    • We need to discuss the situation at home.
    • He refused to discuss it with me.
    • Ralph called a meeting to discuss how they should respond to the offer.
    • I'd like to discuss this matter with you later.
    • I wouldn't accept the job without discussing it with my family first.
    • If we can get around the table to discuss the issue, maybe we can sort it out without the necessity for further court action.
    • We can discuss the details later.
    • An online forum can be used to post information, exchange ideas and discuss problems.
    • Major planning applications are discussed by the committee each month.
    • Some students don't feel comfortable discussing these issues in front of their peers.
    • She met with her coach to discuss her getting back into training.
    • The panel discussed all the shortlisted entries.
    • We will send you an invoice as discussed.
    Topics Discussion and agreementa1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • exhaustively
    • fully
    • in detail
    • …
    verb + discuss
    • convene (something) to
    • meet to
    • want to
    • …
    preposition
    • with
    phrases
    • as discussed
    • a forum to discuss something
    • have something to discuss
    • …
    See full entry
  2.  
     to write or talk about something in detail, showing the different ideas and opinions about it
    • discuss something This topic will be discussed at greater length in the next chapter.
    • The author discusses the economic impact of these changes.
    • discuss what, how, etc… The article discusses how teachers can use technology in their classrooms.
    • The novel's main theme is ‘You reap what you sow’. Discuss. (= in an essay question)
    Language Bank aboutaboutSaying what a text is about
      • The book is about homeless people in the cities.
      • The report deals with the issue of homelessness in London.
      • The writer discusses the problems faced by homeless people.
      • The article presents an overview of the issues surrounding homelessness.
      • The novel explores the theme of friendship among homeless people.
      • The first chapter examines the relationship between homelessness and drug addiction.
      • The paper considers the question of why so many young people become homeless.
    Synonyms examineexamineanalyse ▪ review ▪ study ▪ discussThese words all mean to think about, study or describe somebody/​something carefully, especially in order to understand them, form an opinion of them or make a decision about them.examine to think about, study or describe an idea, subject or piece of work very carefully:
    • These ideas will be examined in more detail in Chapter 10.
    analyse/​analyze to examine the nature or structure of something, especially by separating it into its parts, in order to understand or explain it:
    • The job involves gathering and analysing data.
    • He tried to analyse his feelings.
    review to examine something again, especially so that you can decide if it is necessary to make changes:
    • The government will review the situation later in the year.
    study to examine somebody/​something in order to understand them or it:
    • We will study the report carefully before making a decision.
     examine or study?You examine something in order to understand it or to help other people understand it, for example by describing it in a book; you study something in order to understand it yourself.discuss to write or talk about something in detail, showing the different ideas and opinions about it:
    • This topic will be discussed at greater length in the next chapter.
    Patterns
    • to examine/​analyse/​review/​study/​discuss what/​how/​whether…
    • to examine/​analyse/​review/​study/​discuss the situation/​evidence
    • to examine/​analyse/​review/​study/​discuss something carefully/​critically/​systematically/​briefly
    Extra Examples
    • Pupils should be encouraged to discuss critically the information they are given.
    • The proposals have been widely discussed in the media.
    • This problem has never been discussed openly before.
    • She discusses this in detail in her paper.
    • The painting is discussed in more detail below.
    • We've debated and discussed terrorism, war and politics.
    • to convene a conference to discuss the country's political future
    • The panel will discuss the state of contemporary art.
    Topics Opinion and argumenta2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • exhaustively
    • fully
    • in detail
    • …
    verb + discuss
    • convene (something) to
    • meet to
    • want to
    • …
    preposition
    • with
    phrases
    • as discussed
    • a forum to discuss something
    • have something to discuss
    • …
    See full entry
    3. Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘dispel, disperse’, also ‘examine by argument’): from Latin discuss- ‘dashed to pieces’, later ‘investigated’, from the verb discutere, from dis- ‘apart’ + quatere ‘shake’.
See discuss in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee discuss in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: discuss

Nearby words

halfway
adverb
 
 
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