discreet

UK: /dɪˈskriːt/ US: /dɪˈskrit/ ,(di skrēt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•creet /dɪˈskrit/   adj. 

1. careful or tactful in one's conduct or speech;
   circumspect;
   diplomatic:
   a few discreet inquiries about his credit rating.

dis•creet•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•creet  (di skrēt′), adj. 

1. judicious in one's conduct or speech, esp. 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.

• 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
• Anglo-French, Old French
• Middle English discret 1325–75

dis•creet′ly, adv. 
dis•creet′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See careful. 

Antonyms

• 1. indiscreet.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

discreet / dɪˈskriːt/ adjective

1. careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful
2. unobtrusive

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from Latin discernere to discern

disˈcreetly adverb

disˈcreetness noun

USAGE
See note at discrete