discussed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “discussed” mean?
Past tense and past participle of 'discuss': to talk about something with someone, exchanging ideas or opinions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Past tense and past participle of 'discuss': to talk about something with someone, exchanging ideas or opinions.
To have considered or examined a topic through conversation or debate; to have talked over in detail.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in American English; common in both registers in British English.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “discussed” in a Sentence
[subject] discussed [object][subject] discussed [object] with [person][subject] discussed [wh-clause]It was discussed that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “discussed” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They discussed the holiday plans over a cuppa.
- The committee discussed the proposal last Tuesday.
American English
- We discussed the project during the conference call.
- The senators discussed the bill on the floor.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form for 'discussed')
American English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form for 'discussed')
adjective
British English
- The much-discussed policy was finally implemented.
- He is a well-discussed figure in literary circles.
American English
- The widely-discussed article changed public opinion.
- This is a rarely-discussed aspect of history.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The merger terms were discussed at length in the board meeting.
Academic
The implications of the findings were discussed in the methodology chapter.
Everyday
We discussed what film to watch tonight.
Technical
The bug was discussed in the developer sprint review.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “discussed”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “discussed”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “discussed”
- We discussed about the plan. (Incorrect: 'about' is redundant)
- It was discussed by us. (Overly passive and awkward)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is incorrect. 'Discuss' is a transitive verb and does not need the preposition 'about'. Correct: 'We discussed the topic.'
Yes, the past participle can function as an adjective, e.g., 'a widely discussed issue'.
'Discussed' implies a calmer exchange of views. 'Argued' suggests a more heated disagreement or debate.
It is neutral but leans slightly towards formal contexts. In very informal speech, 'talked about' is more common.
Past tense and past participle of 'discuss': to talk about something with someone, exchanging ideas or opinions.
Discussed: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈskʌst/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈskəst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a done and discussed matter”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DIS-CUSSED sounds like 'this cussed' – imagine having talked about 'this cussed' (annoying) problem until it was solved.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISCUSSION IS A JOURNEY (We discussed all the possible routes to a solution).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'discussed' correctly?