discreet

adjective

dis·​creet di-ˈskrēt How to pronounce discreet (audio)
1
: having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech : prudent
especially : capable of preserving prudent silence
2
: unpretentious, modest
the warmth and discreet elegance of a civilized homeJoseph Wechsberg
3
: unobtrusive, unnoticeable
followed at a discreet distance
discreetly adverb
discreetness noun

Examples of discreet in a Sentence

For a couple who wanted a discreet bar between the study and the living room, Quogue, New York, architect Stuart Disston designed a small-scale bar that's hidden behind … doors under the stairs and takes advantage of plumbing in an adjacent powder room. Sallie Brady, This Old House, January/February 2006
Without the knowledge of the exiled African National Congress leadership, he entered into a discreet dialogue with the South African government—which was reaching a similar conclusion. He later succeeded in convincing suspicious comrades of the need for a negotiated solution. F. W. De Klerk, Time, 18 Apr. 2005
The New York Stock Exchange, meanwhile, has proposed a rule that would bar a stock-market analyst from talking to newspapers that fail to disclose the analyst's conflicts of interest. Even the C.E.O. of Goldman Sachs, one of Wall Street's most discreet firms, has chimed in … and has extorted his peers to restore "trust in our system." New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2002
Discreet disclaimers by the tourist board to the effect that "there is no evidence whatever that Prince Vlad Tepes (TSEH-pesh), or Vlad the Impaler, inhabited the castle" do nothing to discourage its notoriety as Dracula's reputed residence. Mythically, at least, this is in fact where he lived—and always will. Erik Sandberg-Diment, New York Times, 21 June 1998
he was very discreet, only saying what was necessary with a discreet gesture, she signalled to her husband that she was ready to leave the party
Recent Examples on the Web Side panels are the most discreet and look most like traditional jeans—but sit lower on your hips. Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 4 Mar. 2024 Don't let the small stature of a finger vibe fool you: These discreet picks bring on some climax-inducing vibrations. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 3 Mar. 2024 The moneyed set in Lugano are tucked away in discreet modern villas in the surrounding hills overlooking the lake. Everett Potter, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The minimalist look makes for a discreet day-in, day-out workhorse. Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024 This particular two-story, four-bedroom house, following the traditional style, is shaded and discreet. Alice Newell-Hanson Stefan Ruiz, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The red lacquer cabinet, a statement within itself, houses a discreet vodka fridge. Gemma Harris, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2024 Most anomalies were discreet—a bit of speckling, a squiggle along a spine. Rebecca Giggs, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 Not far away, a discreet passageway descends to a subterranean bunker where teams of Ukrainian soldiers track Russian spy satellites and eavesdrop on conversations between Russian commanders. Michael Schwirtz, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discreet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English discrete, discret, discreet "morally discerning, prudent, separate, distinct," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French discret, borrowed from Medieval Latin discrētus "separate, distinct, showing discernment, prudent," going back to Latin, "separated, differentiated," from past participle of discernere "to separate, distinguish" — more at discern

Note: See note at discrete.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discreet was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near discreet

Cite this Entry

“Discreet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discreet. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

discreet

adjective
dis·​creet dis-ˈkrēt How to pronounce discreet (audio)
: having or showing good judgment especially in conduct or speech
discreetly adverb
discreetness noun

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