discreet
judicious in one's conduct or speech, especially 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.
Origin of discreet
1synonym study For discreet
word story For discreet
Discrete, “apart or detached from others; separate; distinct,” was originally a spelling doublet of discreet, sharing meanings and both deriving from the same Latin source. The spelling discrete is closer in form to Latin discrētus and is probably an attempt to differentiate discreet from discrete.
The Middle English Dictionary has two senses at the headword discrēt(e): the sense “wise, morally discerning, prudent, circumspect” has 29 citations; the sense “separate, distinct” has four (in angelology, astronomy, and mathematics).
It wasn’t until the late 16th century that discrete became restricted to its present meanings, leaving the spelling discreet to predominate in its own current uses.
Opposites for discreet
Other words from discreet
- dis·creet·ly, adverb
- dis·creet·ness, noun
- o·ver·dis·creet, adjective
- o·ver·dis·creet·ness, noun
- qua·si-dis·creet, adjective
Words that may be confused with discreet
- discreet , discrete
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use discreet in a sentence
Then another thing is caution—discreetness; not saying anything censorious or critical of other men, no matter what they do.
April Hopes | William Dean HowellsThey were fine and edifying in parts, but lacked the discreetness and holding back I always find in Mr. Plutarch.
Poppea of the Post-Office | Mabel Osgood WrightYou have not taken the discreetness I have shown into consideration, although you were interested in remaining silent.
Ten Years Later | Alexandre Dumas, PereYou may depend upon me to be discreetness itself, at least until after Dick has been safely shipped.
The Snare | Rafael SabatiniAfter all, you know, I think that discreetness is just talk.
Moral | Ludwig Thoma
British Dictionary definitions for discreet
/ (dɪˈskriːt) /
careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful
unobtrusive
Origin of discreet
1confusable For discreet
Derived forms of discreet
- discreetly, adverb
- discreetness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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