discreet
2 synonyms and 1 antonym for discreet, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Careful and tactful in what one says or does, especially to avoid causing embarrassment.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use discreet
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
discreet about
remain discreet
a discreet distance
Etymology
From Old French discret, from Latin discretus, "separated, distinguished" — a doublet of "discrete," which kept the spelling but split off the meaning.
Full origin of discreet →Frequently asked questions
What does “discreet” mean?
The word “discreet” means careful and tactful in what one says or does, especially to avoid causing embarrassment. In plain terms, quietly careful not to draw attention or reveal private information.
How do you pronounce “discreet”?
“Discreet” is pronounced dih-SKREET (/dɪˈskɹiːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “discreet” in a sentence?
Here is “discreet” used in a sentence: “The nurse was discreet about the patient's condition.”
What part of speech is “discreet”?
“Discreet” is an adjective.
Where does the word “discreet” come from?
The word “discreet” comes from Latin. From Old French discret, from Latin discretus, "separated, distinguished" — a doublet of "discrete," which kept the spelling but split off the meaning.
Is “discreet” a common word?
“Discreet” is an uncommon word in modern English.
