discreetly
Americanadverb
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in a way that is careful about something of a personal or delicate nature; circumspectly.
These protocols allow patients to have private conversations with caregivers in which their questions can be answered discreetly.
-
in a way that is not conspicuous or obvious; unobtrusively.
The building is historic, as explained on the understated bronze plaque displayed discreetly in the entryway.
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Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of discreetly
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.
Discreetly ask a flight attendant if you can move to a different part of the plane.
From Seattle Times • May 22, 2023
Discreetly brief your colleagues about a codependent client’s quirks and triggers.
From Washington Post • Apr. 7, 2022
Discreetly advise my boss that I can see his personal messages?
From Slate • Nov. 12, 2019
The Oscar winner dominates every moment of Mamet's new play, but he's not alone onstage: Discreetly by his side is Christopher Denham, who plays Carson, Mickey's well-groomed factotum.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2015
Discreetly, Miss Marsh now draws a tiny “5” next to “Stephanides” and circles it.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
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.
