discreet
[dih-skreet]
adjective
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
Synonym study
1. See careful.
Antonyms for discreet
1. indiscreet.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for discreetness
simplicity, reticence, propriety, purity, decency, humility, virtue, protection, caution, safeguard, provision, insurance, care, attention, prudence, foresight, discretion, vigilance, insight, diffidenceExamples from the Web for discreetness
Historical Examples of discreetness
Discreetness, therefore, was instructed to reign at the Abbey.
The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, CompleteGeorge Meredith
After all, you know, I think that discreetness is just talk.
MoralLudwig Thoma
Would they be boilin' us the night wid the discreetness of 'em?
The Belted SeasArthur Colton
You were discreetness itself, and the man you called Barney was a capital actor, and a rare good fellow too.
Out of a LabyrinthLawrence L. Lynch
You may depend upon me to be discreetness itself, at least until after Dick has been safely shipped.
The SnareRafael Sabatini
discreet
adjective
Word Origin for discreet
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
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discreet
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper