discrete

American  

[dih-skreet] / dɪˈskrit /

adjective

1. apart or detached from others; separate; distinct.

   six discrete parts.

   Synonyms:

   unconnected, individual, different

2. consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous.

3. Mathematics.

   1. (of a topology or topological space) having the property that every subset is an open set.

   2. defined only for an isolated set of points.

      a discrete variable.

   3. using only arithmetic and algebra; not involving calculus.

      discrete methods.

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discrete British  

/ dɪsˈkriːt /

adjective

1. separate or distinct in form or concept

2. consisting of distinct or separate parts

3. statistics

   1. (of a variable) having consecutive values that are not infinitesimally close, so that its analysis requires summation rather than integration

   2. (of a distribution) relating to a discrete variable Compare continuous

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Usage

What’s the difference between discrete and discreet? Discrete means separate or distinct, as in discrete concepts or discrete parts. Discreet most commonly means tactful, prudent, or careful to avoid revealing things that may cause embarrassment, such as when communicating sensitive information, as in a discreet message or You can tell her, but be discreet about it. Less commonly, discreet can also mean unobtrusive—a modest necklace may be described as discreet. In all cases, the word discreet is used in situations in which an effort is made to avoid calling attention to someone or something. When you’re being discreet, you’re showing discretion. Discrete, on the other hand, is typically used in technical, non-personal contexts. It has more specific meanings in the context of math and statistics. Here’s a fun way to remember the difference: in discreet, the two e’s are right next to each other—the one e looks like it’s discreetly whispering something in the other’s ear. In discrete, the two e’s are kept separate by the t in the middle. Here’s an example of discrete and discreet used correctly in a sentence. Example: He mistakenly thought the two parts were discrete, but I told him that they are in fact connected—in a discreet way, of course. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between discrete and discreet.

Commonly Confused

See discreet

Other Word Forms

• discretely adverb
• discreteness noun

Etymology

Origin of discrete

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin discrētus separated; discreet

Explanation

Discrete means separate or divided. A discrete unit is a separate part of something larger. A room is a discrete space within a house, just as the crankshaft is a discrete part of a car engine. If something is discrete, it has its own space. An ice cube comes from an ice tray, but it has its own discrete compartment. A student government might have discrete committees for different projects. Don't confuse discrete with its close cousin discreet, which means “appropriately private.” Billionaire Bruce Wayne, for example, is very discreet about his secret life as Batman. You could say Batman is a discrete, or separate, part of Bruce Wayne’s identity. Anything distinct and separated is discrete.

Example Sentences

At KPMG, AI agents are prompted by people to conduct a discrete set of tasks with humans evaluating tests and moving them to other agents to complete the work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Human knowledge is not a discrete entity like a file on a computer.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

In his view, conventional medicine treats the body as discrete pieces, but it’s better to envision it as one system, where everything works in concert.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

His work built on an earlier proposal by Max Planck in 1900 that atoms emit and absorb energy in discrete packets rather than continuous amounts.

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

Every moment—every blink—is composed of a series of discrete moving parts, and every one of those parts offers an opportunity for intervention, for reform, and for correction.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• disconnected
• distinct
• various