adj
Uncommon
discreet
dih-SKREET
Discreet (adj) means Careful and tactful in what one says or does, especially to avoid causing embarrassment. Example: “The nurse was discreet about the patient's condition.”
adj
1
Careful and tactful in what one says or does, especially to avoid causing embarrassment.
"The nurse was discreet about the patient's condition."
"He made a discreet exit before the speeches began."
How to use discreet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishQuietly careful not to draw attention or reveal private information.
Common mistake
Easily confused with "discrete" (meaning separate/distinct) — same origin, totally different modern meaning and spelling.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
discreet about
remain discreet
a discreet distance
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more discreet, discreeter
- Superlative
- most discreet, discreetest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The nurse was _____ about the patient's condition.
Etymology
From Old French discret, from Latin discretus, "separated, distinguished" — a doublet of "discrete," which kept the spelling but split off the meaning.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for discreet
See all rhymes for 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.
