discount

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "discount" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It can be used as a noun or a verb, typically in the context of discounts offered for services or commodities. For example, "If you order soon, you can get a 10% discount on our new car model!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The shares have underperformed the market by 6% in the last three months and now trade at a discount to the oil service peers.

The Guardian - Business

Since 2011, United has piled up a mountain of consumer complaints (according to one report, only Spirit has more per passenger) and has repeatedly tallied some of the worst quality rankings in the nation, trailing even discount airlines like Frontier and AirTran.

The Economist

(The free degrees are on top of the discount already offered to all maths and science students, which Labor introduced in 2008 but then reversed in the search for budget savings).

The Guardian

The saving is valid on annual and single trip policies – quote JAN20 to claim your discount.

The Guardian - Money

Windows 8.1 costs £100 from Microsoft, but a Windows 10 introductory discount is likely.

The Guardian - Tech

Starter homes will apparently be offered at "a discount of 20%" to young first-time buyers.

The Guardian - Arts

"Although Roche proposed a discount to the full list price of Kadcyla, it made little difference to its value for money, leaving it well above the top of our specially extended range of cost-effectiveness for cancer drugs," said Sir Andrew Dillon, Nice's chief executive.

The Guardian

Inconceivable though it may seem, we must not discount the possibility of a universe where English cricket is not just going to be run a different shade of idiotically, as indicated by the apparent wild goose chase upon which Graves dispatched Pietersen as almost his first act within the job.

The Guardian - Sport

When asked if more bodies might be recovered, he said: "We can't discount that possibility".

The Guardian

As a Smart Pass member, you'll also get a minimum 10% discount across a range of over 850 shopping essentials, as well as access to 50%-off sales, product samples, anniversary gifts and a subscription to the Ocadolife magazine.

The Guardian - Money

The deal outlined cash payments for 720,000 tons of fuel oil to Syria in monthly shipments, the paper said: Iraq offered Syria a discount of 50% below the market price, plus a $5 discount per metric ton, according to the contract.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advertising a "discount", clearly specify the original price and the discounted price to avoid ambiguity and build trust with customers.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the "discount" percentage or creating artificial original prices to make the discount seem more significant than it actually is, as this can lead to legal issues and damage your brand's reputation.

Linguistic Context

The word "discount" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a reduction in price. It also serves as a verb, meaning to deduct or disregard. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's commonly used to denote a reduction in the price of goods or services.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "discount" is a versatile term, functioning primarily as a noun denoting a reduction in price, but also as a verb meaning to deduct or disregard. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, particularly in advertising and financial contexts. With a neutral register and frequent occurrence in news, business, and travel-related articles, "discount" serves to inform, attract, and persuade. While alternatives like "price reduction" or "special offer" exist, "discount" remains the most direct and widely understood term for price reductions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

price reduction

Direct synonym, referring to the act of lowering the price of a product or service.

reduced rate

Implies a lower price than the standard or usual rate.

sale price

Specifically refers to a temporary reduction in price to encourage sales.

special offer

Broader term, encompassing various incentives, including discounts.

promotional price

Indicates a price reduction as part of a marketing campaign.

markdown

A reduction in price, often used in retail contexts.

price cut

Informal term for reducing the price of something.

trade-in value

The value offered for an old item when purchasing a new one, effectively reducing the new item's price.

rebate offer

A partial refund offered after purchase, lowering the effective price.

preferential rate

A better rate given to someone, that isn't offered to everyone.

FAQs

How is "discount" used in business contexts?

In business, "discount" often refers to a reduction in the regular price of a product or service. It can be used as a noun, like "We offer a 10% discount", or as a verb, such as "They discounted the price to clear inventory".

What are some alternatives to using the word "discount"?

You can use alternatives like "price reduction", "reduced rate", or "special offer" to convey a similar meaning depending on the context.

How does "discount" differ from "rebate"?

"Discount" usually involves an immediate price reduction at the point of sale, whereas a "rebate" is a return of part of the purchase price after the sale is completed. A rebate is more similar to a refund.

Is it correct to say "discounted price"?

Yes, "discounted price" is a common and correct term that refers to the reduced price after a "price reduction" has been applied.