Noun (countable)
Swedish: diskussion
Pronunciation (Discussion): IPA: /dɪˈskʌʃən/ | Easy: di-SKUSH-ən
British English: /dɪˈskʌʃn̩/
American English: /dɪˈskʌʃn̩/ (same, but the “u” sound may be slightly different)
Meaning:
- Discussion refers to a talk, conversation, or exchange of ideas about a particular subject. It usually involves two or more people sharing opinions, asking questions, or debating.
- Discussion means the act of talking about something with others, exchanging ideas, opinions, or arguments. It can also refer to a written or formal treatment of a subject.
- A discussion is a process in which people talk about a topic, share their thoughts, and consider different viewpoints. It is often used to explore ideas, solve problems, or make decisions. In everyday life, discussions can be casual conversations among friends or structured debates in professional settings
Etymology (origin):
- From Latin discussiō (“examination, shaking apart”), from discutere (“to dash to pieces, shake apart, examine critically”), from dis- (“apart”) + quatere (“to shake”).
- The original Latin sense was closer to “dispersion” or “breaking up,” but by the time it entered English (mid-14th century), it already meant “examination by argument, debate.”
| – | -s | |
| Singular (a/single) | Plural (several/many) | |
| countable | a discussion | several/many discussions |
| Noun | discussion | discussions |
| Uses | one specific conversation or treatment (e.g., The discussion lasted two hours.) | multiple separate conversations or instances (e.g., We’ve had several discussions about this issue.) |
| Indefinite Singular | A discussion can help clarify ideas. | Uses the article a to introduce something non-specific. |
| Definite Singular | The discussion was very helpful. | Uses the to refer to a specific, known discussion. |
| Indefinite Plural | Discussions often lead to better decisions. | Refers to discussions in general, without specifying which ones. |
| Definite Plural | The discussions were long but productive. | Refers to a specific set of discussions already known in context. |
| Neutral, Definite Plural | The discussions at the conference were long but productive. | Refers to a specific set of discussions already known in context, without emphasizing immediacy or distance. It assumes both speaker and listener already know which discussions are meant. |
| Immediate, Demonstrative Plural | These discussions we’re having today are long but productive. | Refers to discussions that are close in time, space, or relevance to the speaker. Use when pointing to or emphasizing discussions happening right now or just finished. |
| Distant, Demonstrative Plural | Those discussions from last year were long but productive. | Refers to discussions that are farther away in time, space, or relevance. Use when recalling or pointing to discussions that are not immediate, such as ones from last week, last year, or in another place. |
- Synonyms:
- conversation
- dialogue
- debate
- deliberation
- consultation
- conference
- argument
- exchange
- colloquy
- symposium
- Antonyms:
- silence (no talk at all)
- quiet
- agreement (when no debate is needed)
- monologue (one person speaking, not an exchange)
- isolation (absence of communication)
- Homophones (same sound, different meaning/spelling): Discussion itself doesn’t have a true homophone.
- Closest near-sound words: disgustion (non-standard, archaic) or misheard blends.
- Hyponyms (more specific types):
- debate (structured, often competitive)
- negotiation (aimed at agreement)
- interview (question–answer format)
- meeting (formal group discussion)
- argument (heated or adversarial discussion)
- chat (informal discussion)
- Related words:
- talk
- speech
- communication
- discourse
- exchange of ideas
- brainstorming
- consultancy
- roundtable
- forum
- Key Combinations and phrases:
- have/hold a discussion
- under discussion (= being talked about)
- topic/subject of discussion
- enter into discussion
- beyond the scope of this discussion
- Word family:
- Verb: discuss (to talk about something) (e.g., We discussed the problem.)
- Present participle: discussing
- Noun: discussion (the act of talking about something) (e.g., We had a discussion.)
- Adjective: discussable (rare, meaning “possible to discuss”)
- Adverb: discussionally (very rare)
- Adjectives frequently used with “discussion”
- open, frank, honest, candid
- fruitful, constructive, lively, heated discussion
- serious, in-depth, detailed, thorough
- brief, short, preliminary
- heated, lively, animated, passionate
- constructive, productive, fruitful
- academic, theoretical, political
- a long discussion
- Common prepositions with “discussion”
- discussion about (most common) (e.g., a discussion about climate change, a discussion about politics)
- discussion on (e.g., a discussion on public policy, a discussion on health care)
- discussion of (more formal) (e.g., the discussion of the results)
- in discussion with (= negotiating or talking formally with) (e.g., We are in discussion with the company.)
- See also:
- Svenskord
Sentences:
- We had a long discussion about climate change.
- We had a long discussion about the new project.
- The discussion lasted for two hours.
- There will be several discussions during the conference.
- The discussion on climate change was very lively.
- The teacher encouraged discussions in class.
- These discussions we’re having today are very important.
- Those discussions at last year’s conference were very intense.
- References:
- Further reading:
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