discreet

adjective dis·creet \ di-ˈskrēt \

Definition of discreet

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 home
—Joseph Wechsberg

3 :unobtrusive, unnoticeable

followed at a discreet distance

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discreetly

adverb

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discreetness

noun

See discreet defined for English-language learners

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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 of discreet from the Web

Buy Photo SEPTA introduced a new app Wednesday to provide a discreet, private way to report suspicious activity on their system.

— jason laughlin, Philly.com, "New SEPTA app allows discreet text reports to police," 16 Aug. 2017
An enchanted place where you and yours will be amused and amazed with edible delight on artful plates, cosseted and comforted with skilled service so discreet and knowing that even Penn and Teller could not possibly deliver a more magical meal.

— beth segal, cleveland.com, "Cru Uncorked: Almost very fine dining in Moreland Hills," 14 July 2017
If your budget is constrained, opt for a discreet friend with a steady hand.

— erika preval, Southern Living, "Charm School: Marriage Proposal Etiquette," 11 July 2017
Across town, Zeina and Sammy -- who asked CNN not to print their full names -- seven years ago bought a 1940s house in the discreet eastern Beirut district of Qobayat.

— lizzie porter, CNN, "Saving Beirut's crumbling heritage architecture," 3 July 2017
Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill was a bit more discreet than Padilla in her reluctance to comply.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Kris Kobach Is Leading the Most Insidious Dimension of Trump's Assault on Democracy," 30 June 2017
Trtl Travel camouflages ergonomic support in a discreet turtleneck.

— chaney kwak, CNT, "4 Travel Pillows You'll Actually Want to Buy," 30 June 2017
Still, Americans continue to travel there for the novelty as well as to teach in universities and do discreet missionary work.

— nicole gaouette, CNN, "Anger over Warmbier death grows amid calls for travel ban," 20 June 2017
There are three bathrooms, along with a discreet entry and exit, for an extra-nice touch.

— sunhee grinnell, Vanities, "Movin’ On Up to the East Side: Dr. Amy Wechsler Makes a Move," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'discreet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of discreet

Middle English, from Anglo-French discret, from Medieval Latin discretus, from Latin, past participle of discernere to separate, distinguish between — more at discern

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First Known Use: 14th century

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