discreet
Use Discreet in a sentence
adjective
1.
judicious in one's conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy or maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature; prudent; circumspect.
2.
showing prudence and circumspection; decorous: a discreet silence.
3.
modestly unobtrusive; unostentatious: a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace.
Origin:
1325–75; Middle English discret < Anglo-French, Old French < Medieval Latin discrētus, Latin: separated (past participle of discernere; see discern), equivalent to dis- dis-1 + crē- separate, distinguish (variant stem of cernere) + -tus past participle suffix
1325–75; Middle English discret < Anglo-French, Old French < Medieval Latin discrētus, Latin: separated (past participle of discernere; see discern), equivalent to dis- dis-1 + crē- separate, distinguish (variant stem of cernere) + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
dis·creet·ly, adverb
dis·creet·ness, noun
o·ver·dis·creet, adjective
o·ver·dis·creet·ly, adverb
o·ver·dis·creet·ness, noun
Antonyms
1. indiscreet.
1. indiscreet.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To discreet
00:10
Discreet
is an SAT word you need to know.
So is abstract. Does it mean:
| theoretical;not concrete |
| readily or plainly seen, heard, perceived; obvious or evident; capable of being touched or felt, tangible |
Collins
World English Dictionary
discreet (dɪˈskriːt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful |
| 2. | unobtrusive |
| [C14: from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from Latin discernere to | |
| dis'creetly | |
| —adv | |
| dis'creetness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
discreet
mid-14c., from O.Fr. discret, from L. discretus "separated, distinct," in M.L. "discerning, careful," from pp. of discernere "distinguish" (see discern). Spellings discrete and nativized discreet co-existed until after c.1600, when discreet became the common word for "careful,
prudent," and discrete was maintained in philosophy, medicine, music and other disciplines that remembered L. and tried to stick close to it. Related: Discreetly.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Watch carefully for discreet eye-rolling at faculty meetings or get-togethers.
It's a discreet sequence that is indeed important to the overall plot.
The shirt fit nicely and had a discreet pocket for a key or driver's license.
In a culture that favors discreet anonymity, he cut a memorable figure.
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