Everyday · Commonly confused · Character
Discreet: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Discreet adjective. Careful about what you say or do, so as not to embarrass anyone or give away secrets.
How to say it
dih-SKREET/dɪˈskriːt/
2 syllables, stressed on the second (SKREET).
Discreet in a sentence
Ask Priya; she's discreet and won't tell the whole office.
A discreet cough from the waiter told us the restaurant was closing.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- tactful
- circumspect
- guarded
- subtle
Opposite:
- indiscreet
- tactless
Usage note
Discreet means tactful and quiet; discrete means separate. In discrete the t comes between the two e's and keeps them apart, just as the word is about separation.
Don’t confuse with discrete
discrete (adjective): Separate and distinct from one another.
Where discreet comes from
From Old French discret, from Latin discretus, separated; discrete is the same word spelt the Latin way.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
A _____ cough from the waiter told us the restaurant was closing.
- discreet
- ingenious
- eminent
Show the answer
discreet: A discreet cough from the waiter told us the restaurant was closing.