discuss

Word family

• discussion
  nounB1
• discussant
  nounC1
• discussable
  adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Talk about' is the most general and informal option; it simply means mentioning or exchanging words on a topic with no expectation of depth or structure. 'Discuss' implies a purposeful, two-way exchange of ideas, often aimed at better understanding or reaching a decision. 'Debate' adds formality and opposition — participants argue for and against a proposition, typically in a structured setting like a competition or a political forum. 'Argue' carries emotional weight and suggests disagreement; you can discuss calmly, but arguing usually involves raised voices or strong conflict. 'Confer' is the most formal, used when experts, officials, or colleagues consult one another to share knowledge before making a decision. For example: classmates discuss a homework question (neutral and collaborative), politicians debate a bill (structured opposition), a couple argues about money (emotional conflict), and doctors confer on a diagnosis (expert consultation).

Common collocations

Etymology

'Discuss' entered English in the late 1500s from Latin 'discutere', which originally meant 'to shake apart' or 'to scatter' ('dis-' = apart + 'quatere' = to shake). Over time, the meaning shifted in post-classical Latin to 'to examine or investigate thoroughly', as if shaking apart a subject to see what it contains. English adopted this analytical sense, and by the 1600s the word was in common use for thoughtful conversation and scholarly examination.