discreet

[ dih-skreet ]

adjective

1. judicious in one's conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy or maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature; prudent; circumspect.

   Antonyms: indiscreet

2. showing prudence and circumspection; decorous:

   a discreet silence.

3. modestly unobtrusive; unostentatious:

   a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace.

discreet

/ dɪˈskriːt /

adjective

1. careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful
2. unobtrusive

Usage

See discrete

Derived Forms

• disˈcreetness, noun
• disˈcreetly, adverb

Other Words From

• dis·creet·ly adverb
• dis·creet·ness noun
• o·ver·dis·creet adjective
• o·ver·dis·creet·ness noun
• qua·si-dis·creet adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discreet¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English discret, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Medieval Latin discrētus, Latin: “separated,” past participle of discernere “to separate,” from dis- dis- ¹ + cernere “to decide, separate, sift”; discern

Word History and Origins

Origin of discreet¹

C14: from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from Latin discernere to discern

Synonym Study

See careful.

Example Sentences

The Ask for Angela initiative, a not-for-profit project in place at thousands of venues nationwide, aims to provide a discreet lifeline for people who believe they are in danger.

From BBC

This space will be off-limits to humans once the crossing is completed, with locked gates to keep people out and discreet fencing to guide wildlife away from nearby homes into the wild hills beyond.

From Los Angeles Times

"He is very humble, discreet, and has a very clear mindset," he told BBC World Service.

From BBC

“They keep to themselves and are much more discreet than the others. We see them very little,” says Claire Millot, a volunteer for Salam, an NGO that supports migrants in Dunkirk.

From BBC

“When we’re talking about this particular pilot, the idea is layering in a process and a protocol that makes sense for our system, but also ensuring that we’re doing it in a way that’s discreet, noninvasive,” Metro’s top security official, Robert Gummer, said during a press conference at Union Station on Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attentive
• careful
• considerate
• intelligent
• noncommittal
• prudent
• reasonable
• restrained
• tactful
• thoughtful
• watchful