Definition of 'discreet'

discreet

(dɪskriːt )

1. adjective

If you are discreet, you are polite and careful in what you do or say, because you want to avoid embarrassing or offending someone.

They were gossipy and not always discreet.

He followed at a discreet distance.

Synonyms: tactful, diplomatic, politic, reserved More Synonyms of discreet

discreetly adverb [usually ADVERB with verb]

I took the phone, and she went discreetly into the living room.

2. adjective

If you are discreet about something you are doing, you do not tell other people about it, in order to avoid being embarrassed or to gain an advantage.

We were very discreet about the romance.

She's making a few discreet inquiries with her mother's friends.

discreetly adverb [usually ADVERB with verb]

Everyone tried discreetly to find out more about him.

3. adjective

If you describe something as discreet, you approve of it because it is small in size or degree, or not easily noticed.

[approval]

She wore discreet jewellery.

discreetly adverb [ADVERB -ed/adjective]

...stately houses, discreetly hidden behind great avenues of sturdy trees.

The two rooms were relatively small and discreetly lit.

More Synonyms of discreet

Video: pronunciation of
discreet

discreet in British English

(dɪˈskriːt )

adjective

careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful

unobtrusive

▶ USAGE Avoid confusion with discrete

Derived forms

discreetly (disˈcreetly)

adverb

discreetness (disˈcreetness)

noun

Word origin

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

discreet in American English

(dɪˈskrit )

adjective

careful about what one says or does; prudent; esp., keeping silent or preserving confidences when necessary

SIMILAR WORDS: ˈcareful

Derived forms

discreetly (disˈcreetly)

adverb

discreetness (disˈcreetness)

noun

Word origin

ME & OFr discret < L discretus, pp. of discernere: see discern

discreet in American English

(dɪˈskrit)

adjective

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

showing prudence and circumspection; decorous

a discreet silence

modestly unobtrusive; unostentatious

a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace

Derived forms

discreetly

adverb

discreetness

noun

Word origin

[1325–75; ME discret ‹ AF, OF ‹ ML discrētus, L: separated (ptp. of discernere; see discern), equiv. to dis- dis-1 + crē- separate, distinguish (var. s. of cernere) + -tus ptp. suffix]

Examples of 'discreet' in a sentence
discreet

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

The important thing, my friend said, was to remain discreet and put your duties and family first.This luxury hotel allows you to sample all this from a discreet distance.There is a little discreet wafting of programmes.But it is always discreet about its clients and what it does for them.The patches are small and discreet and shaped to fit the abdomen and lower back.They merely hovered at a discreet distance.The difference is that the message it spelt out would be a little more discreet. Maybe they should be a little more discreet in their calls.But he could be a little more discreet.Keep personal pictures small and discreet.