discern
/dɪˈsɜːn/verb
To notice or make something out with the senses, especially by sight.
Example sentences
- “Through the fog we could just discern the outline of the lighthouse.”
- “In the dim light, I could barely discern the words on the sign.”
Formal, and often about subtle things: discerning a pattern, a difference, someone's motives. The adjective 'discerning' means having good judgment or taste.