adj ·Moderate ·High school level

Definitions

Adjective

1. 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."

2. 2
   Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.

Adjective

1. 1
   marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint wordnet
2. 2
   heedful of potential consequences wordnet
3. 3
   unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

circumspectprudentaloofastutebackwardbare-bones

Antonyms

All antonyms

imprudentbigmouthedblabbermouthedloose

Example

More examples

"To do him justice, he is a discreet man."

Etymology

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

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.