discreet
Americanadjective
-
judicious in one's conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy or maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature; prudent; circumspect.
- Antonyms:
- indiscreet
-
showing prudence and circumspection; decorous.
a discreet silence.
-
modestly unobtrusive; unostentatious.
a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace.
adjective
-
careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful
-
unobtrusive
Usage
What’s the difference between discreet and discrete? Discreet most commonly means tactful, prudent, or careful to avoid revealing things that may cause embarrassment, such as when communicating sensitive information, as in a discreet message or You can tell her, but be discreet about it. Discrete means separate or distinct, as in discrete concepts or discrete parts. Less commonly, discreet can also mean unobtrusive—a modest necklace may be described as discreet. In all cases, the word discreet is used in situations in which an effort is made to avoid calling attention to someone or something. When you’re being discreet, you’re showing discretion. Discrete, on the other hand, is typically used in technical, non-personal contexts. It has more specific meanings in the context of math and statistics. Here’s a fun way to remember the difference: in discreet, the two e’s are right next to each other—the one e looks like it’s discreetly whispering something in the other’s ear. In discrete, the two e’s are kept separate by the t in the middle. Here’s an example of discreet and discrete used correctly in a sentence. Example: He mistakenly thought the two parts were discrete, but I told him that they are in fact connected—in a discreet way, of course. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between discreet and discrete.
Commonly Confused
See discrete
Synonym Usage
See careful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of discreet
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English discret, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Medieval Latin discrētus, Latin: “separated,” past participle of discernere “to separate,” from dis- dis- 1 + cernere “to decide, separate, sift”; see discern
Explanation
Discreet describes someone or something that is appropriately quiet, prudent, and restrained. If you are wearing a discreet gray suit, it is unlikely that anyone at that business meeting will notice you. Often people use discreet not only to indicate modesty or carefulness, but also to show a sort of secretiveness along the lines of “You're going to keep this a secret, right?” If no one in your family knows that you like to dress up as a bear, but then your cousin finds out, you may ask him to please be discreet.
Vocabulary lists containing discreet
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The Odyssey
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Formal entertaining spaces include a gracious Living Room, dining room, private study, chef’s kitchen with butler’s pantry, family room, and expansive outdoor terraces, while discreet service quarters ensure effortless day-to-day living,” reads the listing.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026
"Among Quebecers there is a rare way of helping: discreet, sincere, without fanfare," he wrote in October 2025.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
But some students are just getting more discreet, pouring energy drinks into tumblers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
He also highlighted the Ask for Angela initiative, which provides a discreet way for anyone who feels unsafe or uncomfortable in a venue to seek assistance from trained staff.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
Normal run-of-the-mill people like me—except for a few discreet tics, sure, who doesn’t have something?—are the exception.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
