discreet

[ dih-skreet ]

adjective

1. 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

2. showing prudence and circumspection; decorous:

   a discreet silence.

3. modestly unobtrusive; unostentatious:

   a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace.

discreet

/ dɪˈskriːt /

adjective

1. careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful
2. unobtrusive

Usage

See discrete

Derived Forms

• disˈcreetness, noun
• disˈcreetly, adverb

Other Words From

• dis·creet·ly adverb
• dis·creet·ness noun
• o·ver·dis·creet adjective
• o·ver·dis·creet·ness noun
• qua·si-dis·creet adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discreet¹

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”; discern

Word History and Origins

Origin of discreet¹

C14: from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from Latin discernere to discern

Synonym Study

See careful.

Example Sentences

His timing was cautious, and the bar was a discreet 50-foot walk from the hotel.

From The Daily Beast

Welcome to The Angel, one of the pay-by-the-hour lodgings offering a discreet haven for trysts and visits with dominatrixes.

From The Daily Beast

Though Billings was discreet about his sexual orientation, it was well known throughout Washington.

From The Daily Beast

The duchess herself said her grandmother had been extremely discreet about what her job during the war entailed.

From The Daily Beast

Step forward the men in white coats, those discreet cosmetic surgeons, the witch doctors of our age.

From The Daily Beast

Of course they would stop for the wedding; but meantime she must be very discreet; she must not intrude too much.

From Project Gutenberg

"Oh, they were quite safe in my case, not being a mangeur de cœurs," replied the discreet young nobleman.

From Project Gutenberg

But a knock at the door interrupted them; the discreet Capt entered, bearing a telegram upon a salver.

From Project Gutenberg

As she walked along the chill promenade she looked with discreet curiosity at every woman she met, to see her condition.

From Project Gutenberg

Spunyarn, who was to accompany his friend, at a discreet distance was laughing and chatting merrily with the younger girl.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• attentive
• careful
• considerate
• intelligent
• noncommittal
• prudent
• reasonable
• restrained
• tactful
• thoughtful
• watchful