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
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
Though the camerawork is relatively discreet, the imagination all too easily fills in any gory details the eye can’t see.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
His aunt looks directly at Farah, making no effort to be discreet.
—David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Of course, what makes Lange special is the discreet and reserved aesthetic of its dials, which mask some of the most beautiful movements in the industry.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
For the first time in 15 years, the powerful but discreet organization that negotiates union contracts on behalf of Hollywood’s major studios and streamers has named a new leader.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discreet
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Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
His aunt looks directly at Farah, making no effort to be discreet.
—David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Of course, what makes Lange special is the discreet and reserved aesthetic of its dials, which mask some of the most beautiful movements in the industry.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
For the first time in 15 years, the powerful but discreet organization that negotiates union contracts on behalf of Hollywood’s major studios and streamers has named a new leader.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discreet
Cite this Entry
“Discreet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discreet. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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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