discreet

From Middle English discrete, from Old French discret, from Latin discrētus, from past participle of discernere. Doublet of discrete.

• IPA^(key): /dɪˈskɹiːt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -iːt
• Homophone: discrete

discreet (comparative more discreet or discreeter, superlative most discreet or discreetest)

1. Respectful of privacy or secrecy; exercising caution in order to avoid causing embarrassment; quiet; diplomatic.

   With a discreet gesture, she reminded him to mind his manners.

   John just doesn't understand that laughing at Mary all day is not very discreet.

2. Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.

• Although cognate and identical in the Middle English period, the term has become distinct from discrete.

• discreetly

• discretion

• desertic, discrete

From Middle Dutch discreet, from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from discernō.

• IPA^(key): /dɪsˈkreːt/

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: dis‧creet
• Rhymes: -eːt

discreet (comparative discreter, superlative discreetst)

1. discreet (with discretion)
2. discrete (not continuous)

• discretie