What does DISCREET mean?
Definitions for DISCREET
dɪˈskritdis·creet
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word DISCREET.
Princeton's WordNet
discreetadjective
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
"his trusted discreet aide"; "a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace"
discerning, discreetadjective
unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic
"a discerning editor"; "a discreet silence"
circumspect, discreetadjective
heedful of potential consequences
"circumspect actions"; "physicians are now more circumspect about recommending its use"; "a discreet investor"
Wiktionary
discreetadjective
Respectful of privacy or secrecy; quiet; diplomatic.
discreetadjective
Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.
Etymology: From discret, from discretus, from past participle of discernere.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
DISCREETadjective
Prudent; circumspect; cautious; sober; not rash; not precipitant; not careless; not hardily adventurous.
Etymology: discret, French.
Honest, discreet, quiet, and godly learned men, will not be withdrawn by you. John Whitgift.
Less fearful than discreet,
You love the fundamental part of state,
More than you doubt the charge of’t. William Shakespeare, Coriol.To elder years to be discreet and grave,
Then to old age maturity she gave. John Denham.It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society. Joseph Addison, Spectator, №. 225.
Dear youth, by fortune favour’d, but by Love
Alas! not favour’d less, be still as now
Discreet. James Thomson, Summer, l. 1355.
ChatGPT
discreet
Discreet generally refers to behavior that is careful, prudent, or circumspect, especially in regards to respecting privacy or maintaining secrecy about something. It can also imply subtlety, unobtrusiveness, or a low-key approach. It can further refer to something that is separate or distinct from others.
Webster Dictionary
Discreet
possessed of discernment, especially in avoiding error or evil, and in the adaptation of means to ends; prudent; sagacious; judicious; not rash or heedless; cautious
Discreet
differing; distinct
Etymology: [F. discret, L. discretus separated (whence the meaning reserved, prudent), p. p. of discernere. See Discern, and cf. Discrete.]
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Discreet
dis-krēt′, adj. having discernment: wary: circumspect: prudent.—adv. Discreetly.—n. Discreet′ness. [O. Fr. discret—L. discrētus—discernĕre, to separate, to perceive.]
Suggested Resources
Discreet
Discreet vs. Discrete -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Discreet and Discrete.
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Anagrams for DISCREET »
discrete
desertic
creedist
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of DISCREET in Chaldean Numerology is: 9
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of DISCREET in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2
Examples of DISCREET in a Sentence
Companies realize that if they are too outspoken, that will inevitably piss off some of their customers. Why do that ? therefore, they have to be pretty discreet.
Poesy is a beauteous damsel, chaste, honourable, discreet, witty, retired, and who keeps herself within the limits of propriety. She is a friend of solitude; fountains entertain her, meadows console her, woods free her from ennui, flowers delight her; in short, she gives pleasure and instruction to all with whom she communicates.
William Shakespeare, Romeo, in Romeo and Juliet, act 1, sc. 1.:
Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs, Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes, Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers’ tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, A choking gall and a preserving sweet.
It is absolutely not true that Ive only done discreet diplomacy.
I'm not sure of any voguing scenes elsewhere in the Middle East -- and that's because, in other Middle Eastern countries, people are more discreet about such issues.
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References
Translations for DISCREET
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- متحفظArabic
- дискретен, тактичен, сдържан, предпазливBulgarian
- diskretGerman
- διακριτική, διακριτικόςGreek
- discretoSpanish
- diskreetti, hillitty, hienovarainen, tahdikas, hienotunteinenFinnish
- discretFrench
- tapintatos, titoktartó, diszkrétHungarian
- discretoItalian
- prudentesLatin
- discreetDutch
- dyskretnyPolish
- discretRomanian
- незаметный, тактичный, неброскийRussian
- diskretSwedish
- விவேகமுள்ளTamil
- sağduyuluTurkish
- 慎重Chinese
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