discussion
A conversation or debate about a specific topic where people share different ideas or opinions. It is often used to reach a decision, solve a problem, or exchange information between two or more people.
Examples
3 of 5We had a long discussion about what to eat for dinner tonight.
We had a long discussion about what to eat for dinner tonight.
The committee will hold a formal discussion regarding the new safety policy.
The committee will hold a formal discussion regarding the new safety policy.
Let's have a quick discussion about our weekend plans over coffee.
Let's have a quick discussion about our weekend plans over coffee.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'discuss' as 'dishes': when you have a discussion, you are putting all your ideas on the table like dishes for everyone to see.
Quick Quiz
The manager wants to have a ________ about the new office rules.
Correct!
The correct answer is: discussion
Examples
We had a long discussion about what to eat for dinner tonight.
everydayWe had a long discussion about what to eat for dinner tonight.
The committee will hold a formal discussion regarding the new safety policy.
formalThe committee will hold a formal discussion regarding the new safety policy.
Let's have a quick discussion about our weekend plans over coffee.
informalLet's have a quick discussion about our weekend plans over coffee.
The professor led a class discussion on the causes of the industrial revolution.
academicThe professor led a class discussion on the causes of the industrial revolution.
Our team had a productive discussion about the project budget and deadlines.
businessOur team had a productive discussion about the project budget and deadlines.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
under discussion
currently being talked about
open to discussion
available to be talked about or changed
a matter for discussion
something that needs to be talked about
Often Confused With
A discussion is usually a neutral exchange of ideas, while an argument often involves anger or a strong disagreement.
Usage Notes
The noun 'discussion' is frequently followed by the prepositions 'about' or 'on'. It is a countable noun, so you can have 'a discussion' or 'many discussions'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'discuss about the problem' (verb), which is incorrect; however, it is perfectly correct to say 'have a discussion about the problem' (noun).
Memory Tip
Think of 'discuss' as 'dishes': when you have a discussion, you are putting all your ideas on the table like dishes for everyone to see.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'discussus', meaning 'shaken apart' or 'examined', suggesting the breaking down of a topic to understand it.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western cultures, a 'group discussion' is a standard way to reach a democratic decision in schools and workplaces.
Quick Quiz
The manager wants to have a ________ about the new office rules.
Correct!
The correct answer is: discussion
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
A point is a specific place, position, or a single idea in a...
topicA topic is a specific subject that is being discussed, writt...
meetingA meeting is an event where a group of people come together...
consensusA consensus is a general agreement reached by a group of peo...
argumentA set of reasons or evidence presented with the aim of persu...
Related Words
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hypersumcide
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circumjugious
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perinascize
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misdocancy
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envivency
C1To infuse a concept, artistic work, or atmosphere with a renewed sense of life, vividness, and energy. It describes the act of making something abstract feel tangible or animating a previously stagnant situation.
comheredist
C1To systematically unify and distribute inherited elements, traditions, or data into a cohesive modern framework. It describes the active process of integrating legacy components into a functional, distributed system.
disnascy
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devolile
C1Describing something that is subject to or characterized by the delegation of authority from a central body to a subordinate or local level. It is often used to describe legal or administrative processes where powers are transferred downward.
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