English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English discrete, from Old French discret, from Latin discrētus, from past participle of discernere. Doublet of discrete.

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

discreet (comparative more discreet or discreeter, superlative most discreet or discreetest)

  1. Respectful of privacy or secrecy; exercising caution in order to avoid causing embarrassment; quiet; diplomatic.
    With a discreet gesture, she reminded him to mind his manners.
    John just doesn't understand that laughing at Mary all day is not very discreet.
  2. Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.

Usage notes edit

  • Although cognate and identical in the Middle English period, the term has become distinct from discrete.

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

Anagrams edit

Dutch edit

Etymology edit

From Middle Dutch discreet, from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from discernō.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /dɪsˈkreːt/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: dis‧creet
  • Rhymes: -eːt

Adjective edit

discreet (comparative discreter, superlative discreetst)

  1. discreet (with discretion)
  2. discrete (not continuous)

Inflection edit

Inflection of discreet
uninflected discreet
inflected discrete
comparative discreter
positive comparative superlative
predicative/adverbial discreet discreter het discreetst
het discreetste
indefinite m./f. sing. discrete discretere discreetste
n. sing. discreet discreter discreetste
plural discrete discretere discreetste
definite discrete discretere discreetste
partitive discreets discreters

Derived terms edit