indiscretion

[ in-di-skresh-uhn ]

noun

1. lack of discretion; imprudence.
2. an indiscreet act, remark, etc.

indiscretion

/ ˌɪndɪˈskrɛʃən /

noun

1. the characteristic or state of being indiscreet
2. an indiscreet act, remark, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌindisˈcretionary, adjective

Other Words From

• indis·cretion·ary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of indiscretion¹

1300–50; Middle English < Late Latin indiscrētiōn- (stem of indiscrētiō ). See in- ³, discretion

Example Sentences

This time he did it to hide a personal indiscretion and violated campaign finance laws on top of it and that's a criminal offense.

From Salon

“They’ve forced a recounting of all the times the royal family and the palace press have covered up, often with outright lies, scandal, indiscretion and health scares,” wrote Times culture critic Mary McNamara last week.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, they’ve forced a recounting of all the times the royal family and the palace press have covered up, often with outright lies, scandal, indiscretion and health scares.

From Los Angeles Times

“Kevin had a major indiscretion that he will have to deal with for the rest of his life. An indiscretion that I will not deal with,” Williams told The New York Times.

From Salon

It’s a momentary indiscretion that ends up having lasting repercussions, and it makes viewers laugh and scream, sometimes simultaneously.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• error
• gaffe
• lapse
• miscue
• misjudgment
• recklessness