What does discreet mean?

Definitions for discreet
dɪˈskritdis·creet

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word discreet.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. discreetadjective

    marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

    "his trusted discreet aide"; "a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace"

  2. discerning, discreetadjective

    unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic

    "a discerning editor"; "a discreet silence"

  3. circumspect, discreetadjective

    heedful of potential consequences

    "circumspect actions"; "physicians are now more circumspect about recommending its use"; "a discreet investor"

Wiktionary

  1. discreetadjective

    Respectful of privacy or secrecy; quiet; diplomatic.

  2. discreetadjective

    Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.

  3. Etymology: From discret, from discretus, from past participle of discernere.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. DISCREETadjective

    Prudent; circumspect; cautious; sober; not rash; not precipitant; not careless; not hardily adventurous.

    Etymology: discret, French.

    Honest, discreet, quiet, and godly learned men, will not be withdrawn by you. John Whitgift.

    Less fearful than discreet,
    You love the fundamental part of state,
    More than you doubt the charge of’t. William Shakespeare, Coriol.

    To elder years to be discreet and grave,
    Then to old age maturity she gave. John Denham.

    It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society. Joseph Addison, Spectator, №. 225.

    Dear youth, by fortune favour’d, but by Love
    Alas! not favour’d less, be still as now
    Discreet. James Thomson, Summer, l. 1355.

ChatGPT

  1. discreet

    Discreet generally refers to behavior that is careful, prudent, or circumspect, especially in regards to respecting privacy or maintaining secrecy about something. It can also imply subtlety, unobtrusiveness, or a low-key approach. It can further refer to something that is separate or distinct from others.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Discreet

    possessed of discernment, especially in avoiding error or evil, and in the adaptation of means to ends; prudent; sagacious; judicious; not rash or heedless; cautious

  2. Discreet

    differing; distinct

  3. Etymology: [F. discret, L. discretus separated (whence the meaning reserved, prudent), p. p. of discernere. See Discern, and cf. Discrete.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Discreet

    dis-krēt′, adj. having discernment: wary: circumspect: prudent.—adv. Discreetly.—n. Discreet′ness. [O. Fr. discret—L. discrētusdiscernĕre, to separate, to perceive.]

Suggested Resources

  1. Discreet

    Discreet vs. Discrete -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Discreet and Discrete.

Anagrams for discreet »

  1. discrete

  2. desertic

  3. creedist

How to pronounce discreet?

How to say discreet in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of discreet in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of discreet in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of discreet in a Sentence

  1. Pope Francis:

    The first experience went rather well because he’s a saintly and discreet man, and he handled it well, but in the future, things should be delineated more, or things should be made more explicit.

  2. The MyPillow founder:

    I’ve told mine I want to be discreet because I don’t want the media to attack them.

  3. Greg Valliere:

    Companies realize that if they are too outspoken, that will inevitably piss off some of their customers. Why do that ? therefore, they have to be pretty discreet.

  4. Roya Boroumand:

    If you are discreet about your music, the Revolutionary Guard may leave you alone. They say, ‘ Do your thing underground. Do n’t make a lot of noise and we wo n’t come after you, but if a group of musicians start publicly promoting their music, the Guard sees it as leading the youth to not be in control, and then they want to teach a lesson and set an example.

  5. Sir Denison Miller:

    This truth is well known among our principal men now engaged in forming an imperialism of Capital to govern the world. By dividing the voters through the political party system, we can get them to expend their energies in fighting over questions of no importance. Thus by discreet action we can secure for ourselves what has been so well planned and so successfully accomplished.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

discreet#10000#13204#100000

Translations for discreet

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"discreet." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/discreet>.

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    cause to be embarrassed; cause to feel self-conscious
    A transpire
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