Basic Details
Word: Discourse
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Serious talk or writing about a subject; also a long, formal speech or essay on one topic.
Synonyms: talk, speech, lecture, discussion
Word origin: From Latin discursus, running to and fro, from currere, to run.
How to Spell Discourse
Syllables: dis - course
Tricky part: The second half is spelt exactly like course, with ou and a final e. Students write discorse or discource.
Watch out for: discorse, discource, discoarse
Memory tip: A long discourse runs its course. The ending is the same course you take at school.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The guest speaker gave a short discourse on saving water in cities.
Example 2: Political discourse on television has become very loud.
Example 3: Grandpa's after-dinner discourse on cricket can last an hour.
Fun Fact
The Latin verb currere, to run, which lies behind discourse, also gave English current, courier and course.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt wrongly. Choose its meaning:
1. rhetoric 2. eulogy 3. anecdote 4. discource
a) a short story about a real event
b) a speech praising someone who has died
c) serious speech or writing on a subject
d) the skill of using language to persuade
Show answer
c) serious speech or writing on a subject. Discource borrows the ending of source by mistake; spelt like course, the word means serious talk.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
discourrse
a) u
b) o
c) s
d) r
Show answer
d) r. Only one r comes after the ou, exactly as in course.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word discourse as used in the sentence:
The professor delivered a long discourse on the history of Indian railways.
a) riddle
b) lecture
c) gossip
d) verdict
Show answer
b) lecture. A lecture is a formal talk on one subject, the kind of thing a professor delivers.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A discourse is most likely to be heard ____.
a) at a seminar or lecture
b) in a noisy playground
c) at a shoe shop
d) at a busy bus stop
Show answer
a) at a seminar or lecture
2. As a verb, to discourse on a topic means to ____.
a) forget it entirely
b) write it on a card
c) refuse to discuss it
d) speak about it at length
Show answer
d) speak about it at length
