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
This is backed by a very discreet number of behaviors that build this confidence.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Rather, the Dune actor has been slinging her belongings—and her boyfriend Tom Holland’s new beverage line—into the new Neverfull Inside Out in black cowhide leather, which is decidedly more discreet than the original.
—Alice Newbold, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2024
For around a century, Gustave Caillebotte was the most discreet of the Impressionists, only coming back into the spotlight in 1994, when the Grand Palais in Paris celebrated the centenary of his death in 1894 through a memorable retrospective.
—Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 31 Oct. 2024
According to Holtz, the people of Billionaire Bunker tend to keep to themselves for the most part these days; a more discreet environment is ideal for the current crop of celebrity residents.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discreet 
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Megan Poinski, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Rather, the Dune actor has been slinging her belongings—and her boyfriend Tom Holland’s new beverage line—into the new Neverfull Inside Out in black cowhide leather, which is decidedly more discreet than the original.
—Alice Newbold, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2024
For around a century, Gustave Caillebotte was the most discreet of the Impressionists, only coming back into the spotlight in 1994, when the Grand Palais in Paris celebrated the centenary of his death in 1894 through a memorable retrospective.
—Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 31 Oct. 2024
According to Holtz, the people of Billionaire Bunker tend to keep to themselves for the most part these days; a more discreet environment is ideal for the current crop of celebrity residents.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discreet
Dictionary Entries Near discreet
Cite this Entry
“Discreet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discreet. Accessed 28 Nov. 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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