Definition

1. Noun:

   • A reduction in price: An amount of money that is taken off the usual cost of something.
   • A deduction from a debt: A sum or percentage deducted, especially for prompt payment.
   • Interest deducted in advance: Interest on a loan that is subtracted from the principal amount before the loan is disbursed.
   • The act of discounting: The action of reducing the selling price of merchandise.

2. Verb:

   • To reduce the price of something: To sell or offer something at a price lower than the usual or listed price.
   • To disregard or minimize: To regard something as unworthy of serious consideration; to dismiss or underestimate its importance.
   • To anticipate and diminish the effect of: To make an event or piece of news seem less significant by expecting it beforehand.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The store is offering a 20% discount on all furniture this weekend.
  • He received a discount for paying the invoice early.
  • The bank loan included a substantial discount.

• Verb:

  • The manager decided to discount the old stock to clear the shelves.
  • You shouldn't discount his advice just because he's young.
  • The market had already discounted the news of the merger.

Advanced Usage

• "At a discount":

  • Meaning: Sold for less than the usual price; not in high regard or demand.
  • The shares are trading at a discount to their book value.
  • His ideas were held at a discount by the conservative committee.

• "To take something with a grain of salt / at a discount":

  • Meaning: To not completely believe something; to be skeptical about its truth or accuracy.
  • You should take his stories about his travels at a discount.

Variants and Related Words

• Discounter (n): A retailer that sells goods at discounted prices.

  • The company became a major discounter in the electronics market.

• Discountable (adj): Capable of being discounted.

  • These bonds are discountable at the central bank.

• Discounting (n): The act or practice of giving discounts; in finance, the process of determining the present value of a future payment.

  • The discounting of future cash flows is a key concept in finance.

Synonyms

• Noun: Deduction, reduction, markdown, rebate, allowance.
• Verb: Reduce, mark down, deduct; disregard, ignore, dismiss, brush aside.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Discount from:
  • Meaning: To deduct a specific amount from a total.
  • Ten dollars will be discounted from your total for the inconvenience.

Related Idioms

• "Discount the possibility":
  • Meaning: To consider something unlikely or to rule it out.
  • We cannot discount the possibility of rain, so bring an umbrella.

Noun

1. an amount or percentage deducted
2. a refund of some fraction of the amount paid
3. interest on an annual basis deducted in advance on a loan
4. the act of reducing the selling price of merchandise

Verb

1. give a reduction in price on
   • I never discount these books-they sell like hot cakes
2. bar from attention or consideration
   • She dismissed his advances