discreet
[dih-skreet]
- judicious in one's conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy or maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature; prudent; circumspect.
- showing prudence and circumspection; decorous: a discreet silence.
- modestly unobtrusive; unostentatious: a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace.
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Origin of discreet
Synonym study
1. See careful.
Antonyms
1. indiscreet.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
noncommittal, watchful, prudent, tactful, considerate, thoughtful, reasonable, attentive, careful, intelligent, restrained, alert, awake, cagey, calculating, chary, circumspect, civil, conservative, diplomaticExamples from the Web for discreet
Contemporary Examples
His timing was cautious, and the bar was a discreet 50-foot walk from the hotel.
Welcome to The Angel, one of the pay-by-the-hour lodgings offering a discreet haven for trysts and visits with dominatrixes.
Though Billings was discreet about his sexual orientation, it was well known throughout Washington.
The sex scene between April and Mr. B. is a montage of discreet close-ups.
Outside, there is a big black door with a discreet sign that reads, simply, “Franks.”
Historical Examples
I can see that they are very wise and discreet folk at Beaulieu.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
But what will they say of Virgil; the wise, the discreet Virgil?
An Essay on Satire, Particularly on the DunciadWalter Harte
One and all swore to be faithful and discreet—and so they proved.
Indeed, you shall tell me all about it someday; you know I'm discreet!
Colonel Hofferman paused: de Loubersac kept a discreet silence.
A Nest of SpiesPierre Souvestre
discreet
- careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful
- unobtrusive
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from Latin discernere to discern
confusable
Avoid confusion with discrete
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for discreet
adj.
mid-14c., "morally discerning, prudent, circumspect," from Old French discret "discreet, sensible, intelligent, wise," from Latin discretus "separated, distinct," in Medieval Latin "discerning, careful," past participle of discernere "distinguish" (see discern). Meaning "separate, distinct" in English is late 14c.
Spellings discrete and nativized discreet co-existed until after c.1600, when discreet became the common word for "careful, prudent," and discrete was maintained in philosophy, medicine, music and other disciplines that remembered Latin and made effort to obey it. Related: Discreetly.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper