discriminating

UK: /dɪˈskrɪmɪneɪtɪŋ/

US: /dɪˈskrɪməˌneɪtɪŋ/

US: (di skrim′ə nā′ting)

From the verb discriminate: (⇒ conjugate)

discriminating is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•crim•i•nat•ing /dɪˈskrɪməˌneɪtɪŋ/  adj. 

1. having the ability to distinguish or judge among things:
   commercials aimed at the so-called discriminating buyer.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•crim•i•nat•ing  (di skrim′ə nā′ting), adj. 

1. differentiating;
   analytical.
2. noting differences or distinctions with nicety;
   discerning;
   perspicacious:
   a discriminating interpreter of events.
3. having excellent taste or judgment:
   a discriminating interior designer.
4. differential, as a tariff.
5. possessing distinctive features;
   capable of being differentiated;
   discriminative.

• discriminate + -ing² 1640–50

dis•crim′i•nat′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

discriminating / dɪˈskrɪmɪˌneɪtɪŋ/ adjective

1. able to see fine distinctions and differences
2. discerning in matters of taste
3. (of a tariff, import duty, etc) levied at differential rates in order to favour or discourage imports or exports

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•crim•i•nate /dɪˈskrɪməˌneɪt/   v., -nat•ed, -nat•ing. 

1. Sociology to make a distinction for or against a person on the basis of the group or class to which the person belongs, rather than according to merit: [no object]
   No company should expect to discriminate today and get away with it.
   [~ + against + object]
   Those employers discriminated against women for higher-paying jobs.
   [~ + in favor of]
   Is it acceptable to discriminate in favor of certain groups?
2. to make, take note of, or observe a difference:
   [~ + between/among] He has trouble discriminating between red and green.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•crim•i•nate  (v. di skrim′ə nāt′;adj. di skrim′ə nit), v., -nat•ed, -nat•ing, adj. 
v.i. 

1. Sociology to make a distinction in favor of or against a person or thing on the basis of the group, class, or category to which the person or thing belongs rather than according to actual merit;
   show partiality:
   The new law discriminates against foreigners. He discriminates in favor of his relatives.
2. to note or observe a difference;
   distinguish accurately:
   to discriminate between things.

v.t. 

3. to make or constitute a distinction in or between;
   differentiate:
   a mark that discriminates the original from the copy.
4. to note or distinguish as different:
   He can discriminate minute variations in tone.

adj. 

5. marked by discrimination;
   making or evidencing nice distinctions:
   discriminate people; discriminate judgments.

• Latin discrīminātus separated, past participle of discrīmināre. See discriminant, -ate¹
• 1620–30

dis•crim′i•nate•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 3. See distinguish. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

discriminate verb / dɪˈskrɪmɪˌneɪt/

1. (intr; usually followed by in favour of or against) to single out a particular person, group, etc, for special favour or, esp, disfavour, often because of a characteristic such as race, colour, sex, intelligence, etc
2. when intr, followed by between or among: to recognize or understand the difference (between); distinguish
3. (intransitive) to constitute or mark a difference
4. (intransitive) to be discerning in matters of taste

adjective / dɪˈskrɪmɪnɪt/

1. showing or marked by discrimination

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin discrīmināre to divide, from discrīmen a separation, from discernere to discern

disˈcriminately adverb