Definition of 'discrete'
adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Discrete ideas or things are separate and distinct from each other.
[formal]
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
discrete
Word Frequency
discrete in British English
adjective
▶ USAGE Avoid confusion with discreet2.
consisting of distinct or separate parts
3. statistics
a.
(of a variable) having consecutive values that are not infinitesimally close, so that its analysis requires summation rather than integration
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
discretely (disˈcretely) adverb
discreteness (disˈcreteness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin discrētus separated, set apart; see discreetWord Frequency
discrete in American English
adjective
1.
separate and distinct; not attached to others; unrelated
2.
made up of distinct parts; discontinuous
3.
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
discretely (disˈcretely)
adverb
discreteness (disˈcreteness)
noun
Examples of 'discrete' in a sentence
discrete
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
Trends of
discrete
View usage for:
Nearby words of
discrete
Source
Definition of discrete from theCollins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
happy or pleased?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
happy
pleased
as Larry
apple or plum?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
apple
plum
the of your eye
guts or socks?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
socks
guts
work your off
stomach or throat?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
throat
stomach
have a frog in your
red or white?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
white
red
a elephant
Your score:
Word of the day
altocumulus
a globular cloud at an intermediate height of about 2400 to 6000 metres (8000 to 20 000 feet)
Latest Word Submissions
budesonide
Apr 13, 2021
Pandemician
Apr 12, 2021
draining the swamp
Apr 11, 2021
guzmania
Apr 11, 2021
Cracking the police code: 11 Line of Duty acronyms explained
BBC’s Line of Duty is back after a two-year hiatus and we couldn’t be more excited to resume our role of armchair detective. But for civilians, deciphering all the police jargon can be pretty difficult.
Read more
Lockdownversary
The twenty-third of March marks the anniversary of the first UK lockdown, that fateful Monday evening when the PM announced drastic measures to halt the spread of COVID-19.
Read more
RNA vaccine and vision board highlight new words for March
One year ago, in March 2020, there was a very clear theme linking many of the new words that were being added to Collins Dictionary. Terms such as social distancing, contact tracing, shutdown order, and superspreader were all catapulted into our everyday language by the coronavirus pandemic. A year on, these words are, unfortunately, still relevant.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
tear or tier?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
tier
tear
There is a of seats around the auditorium.
cymbal or symbol?
Which version is correct?
brake or break?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
brake
break
It caused her to hard.
lessen or lesson?
Which version is correct?
ball or bawl?
Which version is correct?
Your score: