indiscretion
Americannoun
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the characteristic or state of being indiscreet
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an indiscreet act, remark, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of indiscretion
1300–50; Middle English < Late Latin indiscrētiōn- (stem of indiscrētiō ). See in- 3, discretion
Explanation
If you commit an indiscretion you are doing something wrong that shows a lack of judgment. Perhaps stealing candy was your first indiscretion. Likely it will not be your last. You'll often hear the word indiscretion used when referring to politicians or public figures caught in a scandal. Used this way, the word implies poor judgment for both the wrong and the fact that the politician got caught. If you are going to commit an indiscretion, it's best to be a bit discreet, or subtle, about it.
Vocabulary lists containing indiscretion
The Call of the Wild
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A Doll's House
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The Importance of Being Earnest
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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.
There follows a catalog of gaucheness and indiscretion.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
The sparks between them are obvious, and Appa, the soul of indiscretion, can’t help meddling in his overbearing way.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026
Years later, he literally mobilized an army to prevent that brief indiscretion from destroying his political ambitions.
From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026
They spoke briefly about it before they were married and then he forgot about what he considered a youthful indiscretion by his wife.
From BBC • Jul. 9, 2025
Citra, try as she might to be a stellar apprentice, was not immune to indiscretion herself.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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.
