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
Joseph Wechsberg3
: unobtrusive, unnoticeable
followed at a discreet distance
discreetly
adverb
discreetness
noun
Synonyms
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
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
An easy-to-use nursing clasp and pull-down design makes for convenient nursing access, while pulling down a front fabric overlap reveals discreet slits for pump flanges.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 10 Apr. 2024
There were a few more discreet looks that shined this week, too.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024
As a discreet, easy manner to take CBD on-the-go-, edibles have become quite the trend over the past couple of years.
—Chrono Therapeutics, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Nicotine pouches are even more discreet, with a small pouch measuring at 0.6 inches by 1.1 to 1.3 inches (14 millimeters by 28 to 32 millimeters), similar to a piece of chewing gum, that can be popped in the mouth virtually anywhere without anyone else knowing.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
Discretion isn’t a pass for dishonesty Things get a little trickier for more discreet wearable tech.
—Victoria Song, The Verge, 27 Mar. 2024
Tall, sharply dressed and always discreet, Mr. Picco was something of a mystery within the U.N. bureaucracy.
—Clay Risen, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Despite its strappy details and lace texture, the bodysuit is discreet enough to wear under a variety of garments without detection.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024
Except for discreet logos, dress sneakers skip excessive branding and technical perforations.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Katrina Cossey, Parents, 10 Apr. 2024
There were a few more discreet looks that shined this week, too.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024
As a discreet, easy manner to take CBD on-the-go-, edibles have become quite the trend over the past couple of years.
—Chrono Therapeutics, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Nicotine pouches are even more discreet, with a small pouch measuring at 0.6 inches by 1.1 to 1.3 inches (14 millimeters by 28 to 32 millimeters), similar to a piece of chewing gum, that can be popped in the mouth virtually anywhere without anyone else knowing.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
Discretion isn’t a pass for dishonesty Things get a little trickier for more discreet wearable tech.
—Victoria Song, The Verge, 27 Mar. 2024
Tall, sharply dressed and always discreet, Mr. Picco was something of a mystery within the U.N. bureaucracy.
—Clay Risen, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Despite its strappy details and lace texture, the bodysuit is discreet enough to wear under a variety of garments without detection.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024
Except for discreet logos, dress sneakers skip excessive branding and technical perforations.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near discreet
Cite this Entry
“Discreet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discreet. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
discreet
adjective
dis·creet
dis-ˈkrēt 
: having or showing good judgment especially in conduct or speech
discreetly
adverb
discreetness
noun
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