discreet
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.
Origin of discreet
1synonym study For discreet
word story For discreet
Discrete, “apart or detached from others; separate; distinct,” was originally a spelling doublet of discreet, sharing meanings and both deriving from the same Latin source. The spelling discrete is closer in form to Latin discrētus and is probably an attempt to differentiate discreet from discrete.
The Middle English Dictionary has two senses at the headword discrēt(e): the sense “wise, morally discerning, prudent, circumspect” has 29 citations; the sense “separate, distinct” has four (in angelology, astronomy, and mathematics).
It wasn’t until the late 16th century that discrete became restricted to its present meanings, leaving the spelling discreet to predominate in its own current uses.
Opposites for discreet
Other words from discreet
- dis·creet·ly, adverb
- dis·creet·ness, noun
- o·ver·dis·creet, adjective
- o·ver·dis·creet·ness, noun
- qua·si-dis·creet, adjective
Words that may be confused with discreet
- discreet , discrete
Words Nearby discreet
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use discreet in a sentence
The installation, accompanied by its own discreet soundtrack, retains the right angles of the space it defines, yet its hard lines are gently blurred with every ripple of air.
In the galleries: A towering exhibit offers a new definition of domestic life | Mark Jenkins | January 1, 2021 | Washington PostHaving people who are trained to spot instances like when people are feeling presenteeism pressure and then be discreet and respectful about how they broach the subject is invaluable.
Touchless bathrooms, desk-booking tools, cleaning rotas: Agencies outline the future of the office | Jessica Davies | December 14, 2020 | DigidayIn private one-on-one meetings with senators, Barrett has been discreet on the question of precedent, at least according to one Senate Democrat who has spoken with her ahead of the confirmation hearing.
Both sides on abortion certain Barrett would restrict, if not overturn, landmark court decision | Seung Min Kim | October 8, 2020 | Washington PostPlus the convenient and discreet wall-plug design saves space.
Electronics and exercise gear that make excellent gifts | PopSci Commerce Team | October 8, 2020 | Popular-ScienceHer focus is on Australia, where she hopes to help undo a more “discreet” form of racism by mending an opaque education system with the help of the Opals.
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 duchess herself said her grandmother had been extremely discreet about what her job during the war entailed.
Kate Middleton’s Code-Breaking Granny: Duchess Uncovers Wartime Secrets | Tim Teeman | June 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTStep forward the men in white coats, those discreet cosmetic surgeons, the witch doctors of our age.
Nicole Kidman Botox Insanity: Why All Women Lose Out When We Obsess Over Stars’ Faces | Emma Woolf | May 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOf course they would stop for the wedding; but meantime she must be very discreet; she must not intrude too much.
Confidence | Henry James"Oh, they were quite safe in my case, not being a mangeur de cœurs," replied the discreet young nobleman.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsBut a knock at the door interrupted them; the discreet Capt entered, bearing a telegram upon a salver.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsAs she walked along the chill promenade she looked with discreet curiosity at every woman she met, to see her condition.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettSpunyarn, who was to accompany his friend, at a discreet distance was laughing and chatting merrily with the younger girl.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James Wills
British Dictionary definitions for discreet
/ (dɪˈskriːt) /
careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful
unobtrusive
Origin of discreet
1confusable For discreet
Derived forms of discreet
- discreetly, adverb
- discreetness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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