discrete

[ dih-skreet ]

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.

discrete

/ 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

Usage

See discreet

Derived Forms

• disˈcreteness, noun
• disˈcretely, adverb

Other Words From

• dis·cretely adverb
• dis·creteness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discrete¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of discrete¹

C14: from Latin discrētus separated, set apart; see discreet

Example Sentences

However, there are only a few discrete options for the quantum spin on a particle -- for example, up and down.

From Science Daily

Optogenetics enables researchers to zoom in on discrete sets of neurons.

From Science Daily

Cliff added that it was "not correct that the tribunal’s decision identifies 'certain discrete elements' of the APT rules that need to be amended in order to comply with competition and public law requirements".

From BBC

The proposed update would reconfigure where those warehouses could be built, from an area closer to the freeway to a more discrete location, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

But while those events often spawn wildfires, floods and other calamities, they are discrete phenomena that generally puncture otherwise pleasant times.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disconnected
• distinct
• various

Discrete vs. Discreet

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.

Quiz yourself on discrete vs. discreet!

Should discrete or discreet be used in the following sentence?

In my mind, these two topics are entirely _____—they don’t overlap at all.