Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Possessed of, exercising, or showing prudence and self-restraint in speech and behavior; circumspect.
  • adjective Made, done, or situated so as to attract little notice.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Distinct; distinguishable; discrete. See discrete, the usual spelling in this sense.
  • Wise or judicious in avoiding mistakes or faults, or in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose; prudent; circumspect; cautious; wary; not rash.
  • Civil; polite.
  • Synonyms See list under cautious.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective 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.
  • adjective obsolete Differing; distinct.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Respectful of privacy or secrecy; quiet; diplomatic.
  • adjective Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic
  • adjective marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
  • adjective heedful of potential consequences

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English, from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from Latin, past participle of discernere, to separate, discern; see discern.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Old French discret, from Latin discretus, from past participle of discernere.

Support

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Examples

  • He's good at memorizing conversations, and some guys weren't so what you call discreet talking around him.

    White Jazz Ellroy, James, 1948- 1992

  • Some areas for the ladies to consider: hair cut, color, makeup, shoes, purses, clothing, jewelry and certain discreet cultural factors.

    how to "pass" for a Mexican 2009

  • Some areas for the ladies to consider: hair cut, color, makeup, shoes, purses, clothing, jewelry and certain discreet cultural factors.

    how to "pass" for a Mexican 2009

  • Some areas for the ladies to consider: hair cut, color, makeup, shoes, purses, clothing, jewelry and certain discreet cultural factors.

    how to "pass" for a Mexican 2009

  • Some areas for the ladies to consider: hair cut, color, makeup, shoes, purses, clothing, jewelry and certain discreet cultural factors.

    how to "pass" for a Mexican 2009

  • Some areas for the ladies to consider: hair cut, color, makeup, shoes, purses, clothing, jewelry and certain discreet cultural factors.

    how to "pass" for a Mexican 2009

  • Some areas for the ladies to consider: hair cut, color, makeup, shoes, purses, clothing, jewelry and certain discreet cultural factors.

    how to "pass" for a Mexican 2009

  • Some areas for the ladies to consider: hair cut, color, makeup, shoes, purses, clothing, jewelry and certain discreet cultural factors.

    how to "pass" for a Mexican 2009

  • Some areas for the ladies to consider: hair cut, color, makeup, shoes, purses, clothing, jewelry and certain discreet cultural factors.

    how to "pass" for a Mexican 2009

  • Some areas for the ladies to consider: hair cut, color, makeup, shoes, purses, clothing, jewelry and certain discreet cultural factors.

    how to "pass" for a Mexican 2009

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