What does discussing mean?
Discussing is the present participle of the verb "to discuss," meaning to talk something over with others in order to exchange ideas, examine it from different angles, or arrive at a decision. It is one of the most common verbs of intellectual and social exchange, appearing everywhere from casual conversation — friends discussing weekend plans — to formal settings such as boardrooms, courtrooms, and academic papers, where a text itself may be said to be discussing a theory or finding. The word carries a neutral to constructive connotation: it implies engagement, openness, and a willingness to consider multiple viewpoints rather than merely argue. A key point of usage is that "discuss" is transitive, so we say someone is "discussing the proposal," never "discussing about the proposal." The verb derives from Latin discutere, originally meaning to shake apart or scatter, a vivid image underlying the modern sense of taking an idea apart through conversation.
verbThe present participle and gerund of the verb "discuss": to talk about something with another person or group in order to exchange ideas, examine it, or reach a decision.
- To talk about a topic with others in order to exchange views or information.
- To examine or consider a subject in writing or speech (e.g. a book discusses a theory).
"The committee spent hours discussing the proposed budget before reaching an agreement."
"We were discussing where to go for dinner when the power went out."
"Chapter three is devoted to discussing the economic consequences of the war."
In Latin, discutere meant to smash or scatter — so every time you discuss an idea, you're linguistically breaking it apart to see what it's made of.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of discussing
The word traces back to the Latin verb discutere, formed from dis- (apart) and quatere (to shake), originally meaning to shatter or scatter. It entered English via Latin scholarly usage, where it had developed the figurative sense of examining or investigating a matter. By the 16th century, "discuss" was established in English with its modern meaning of talking something over, and its present participle "discussing" has been in regular use since then. It shares the same Latin root as "discussion" and more distantly with words like "percussion" and "concussion."
Related word forms
How discussing is actually used
"Discussing" is standard in both formal and informal registers. Note that "discuss" is transitive in standard English: one discusses something, not discusses about something — "discussing about the plan" is widely considered incorrect.
Easily confused with discussing
"Disgusting" means repulsively unpleasant, while "discussing" means talking something over; the two differ by a single letter but share no meaning.