discriminating

/dɪˈskrɪmɪneɪtɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈskrɪmɪneɪtɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈskri-mə-ˌnā-tiŋ/ (ame, mw)

discriminating — adjective

  • discriminatingpositive
  • more discriminatingcomparative
  • most discriminatingsuperlative

1. showing careful judgment by noticing small differences in quality, character, or

1.形容詞C1
釋義

showing careful judgment by noticing small differences in quality, character, or what is morally right.

例句

Elise is discriminating about coffee beans and rejects bitter, burnt flavors.

discriminating about + noun phrase for careful taste

The museum needs discriminating judges for the children's poster contest.

discriminating + noun in an approving sense

同義詞
  • discerning

    very close in meaning, but slightly more common for refined taste

  • judicious

    stresses wise decision-making more than sensitivity to fine differences

  • selective

    focuses on careful choice, but not always on refined taste or moral judgment

  • tasteful

    narrower; mainly about good aesthetic choices

反義詞
  • undiscriminating

    formal; describes someone who does not judge differences in quality

  • indiscriminate

    suggests choices are made without care or thought

  • uncritical

    emphasises accepting things too easily without judging them

文法句型

discriminating + taste / eye / reader / buyer

discriminating + about + noun phrase

discriminating + in + gerund

用法筆記

Often describes taste, judgment, or buyers, readers, and critics. It is more approving than 'picky' because it suggests sound standards rather than simply being hard to please.

常見錯誤

❌The company was discriminating against older workers.
✅The company was discriminatory toward older workers.
💡'discriminating' here praises careful judgment; unfair treatment uses 'discriminatory'.
❌My son is discriminating, so he refuses every vegetable.
✅My son is picky, so he refuses every vegetable.
💡'discriminating' suggests refined judgment, not childish fussiness.