discreetly
Americanadverb
-
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.
Other Word Forms
- overdiscreetly adverb
- quasi-discreetly adverb
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.
The world of prepping can be a very secretive place, ranging from "discreetly storing supplies to full 'lone wolf' isolation, much of the time to avoid stigma and labelling" with other focus on community building.
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
Aoki commissions the acerbic Jack to find and return his painting discreetly: “Nose around. Be a bit of a pest. There’s no one better than you to do that.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
Privacy concerns remain a hurdle, with the ramifications of widely worn glasses discreetly and near-constantly recording throwing up potential regulatory pitfalls.
From Barron's • Dec. 3, 2025
Instead guests in elaborate gowns and tuxedos discreetly glanced at their phones propped on tables and at the base of flower vases across the star-packed venue.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2025
Martin said he would take one for the team, and so Moss watched him walk away with a nearly full bottle of urine to dump somewhere discreetly.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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.
