From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdiscussdi‧scuss /dɪˈskʌs/ ●●● S2 W1 verb [transitive] 1 DISCUSSto talk about something with another person or a group in order to exchange ideas or decide something Littman refused to discuss the case publicly. If you would like to discuss the matter further, please call me.discuss something with somebody Pupils should be given time to discuss the book with their classmates.discuss what/who/where etc Your accountant will discuss with you how to complete these forms.► see thesaurus at talkRegisterIn everyday English, people usually say talk about rather than discuss:It’s good to be able to talk about these things.2 DISCUSSto talk or write about something in detail and consider different ideas or opinions about it This topic will be discussed in Chapter 4.COLLOCATIONSnounsdiscuss the question/subjectWe’d never discussed the question of having children.discuss the problemI suggested going out for a drink to discuss the problem.discuss the matter/issue formal (=discuss a subject or problem)The two leaders met to discuss the issue further.discuss a topic (=subject of general interest)I sometimes let the class choose which topic they want to discuss.discuss the situationThey held a three-hour meeting to discuss the situation.discuss a possibilityGovernment officials were seriously discussing the possibility of war.discuss a plan/ideaIt’s a good idea to discuss your plans with your parents.discuss the future of somethingHe met the chairman of Nuclear Electric to discuss the future of the nuclear generating industry.discuss the detailsLet’s get together soon to discuss the details of the trip. GrammarComparisondiscuss• You discuss something with someone: She discussed the idea with her parents. ✗Don’t say: discuss about somethingtalk• You talk about something with someone: She talked about the idea with her parents.debate• People debate something: Congress will debate the bill.Patterns with discuss• You discuss what to do: We discussed what to pay him. • You discuss what you should do: We discussed what we should pay him.• You discuss whether to do something: The board discussed whether to go ahead with the plan.• You discuss whether you should do something: The board discussed whether they should go ahead with the plan.• You discuss how to do something: They discussed how to prevent terrorist attacks.• You discuss how you might do something: They discussed how they might prevent terrorist attacks.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
discuss• Small groups allow people to interact, discuss and ask questions, which maximizes integration of learning.• The report will be discussed at next week's meeting.• The book discusses Columbus's voyages, including his landings in America.• Version 4. 2 offers some new editing features in addition to those discussed earlier in this chapter.• The whole family got together to discuss funeral arrangements.• Only their Gothic Romance novels are listed below; any other romance works will be discussed in the appropriate chapters.• We never discuss our financial difficulties in front of the children.• White House officials met to discuss the budget.• Typically the conciliation officer will contact each party or their representatives to discuss the case.• We pray and discuss the Lords work.• Older people are inhibited about discussing the past because they sense that no-one is interested.• The two families got together to discuss the wedding arrangements.• I visited the local teacher's centre where I discussed this self-evaluation project and other similar projects with the warden.• Don't make any plans yet - I want to discuss this with Jamie first.• We need to discuss what kind of food we want at the party.• It is worth discussing your child's needs in detail and having a few rehearsal sessions before committing yourself to a job.discuss what/who/where etc• After the first two chapters, it discusses where and how to read art criticism.• In psychotherapy we began to discuss what Charles thought and felt about his life as a whole.• It went on to discuss what form the opinion should take, including where a reservation of opinion would be required.• She hadn't wanted to discuss what had happened.• He declined to discuss what his own company might do.• The class gathers weekly to share observations and discuss what they are finding.• Then they discussed what they had in mind for the publicity.• They are planning a trip together, arranging where to meet, discussing what to bring.Origin discuss (1300-1400) Latin discussus, past participle of discutere “to shake to pieces” 