DISCREET

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does discreet mean? 

• DISCREET (adjective)
  The adjective DISCREET has 3 senses:

1. marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

2. unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic

3. heedful of potential consequences

  Familiarity information: DISCREET used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISCREET (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

Context example:

a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace

Antonym:

indiscreet (lacking discretion; injudicious)

Derivation:

discreetness (subtly skillful handling of a situation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic

Synonyms:

discerning; discreet

Context example:

a discreet silence

Similar:

tactful (having or showing a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others)

Derivation:

discreetness (subtly skillful handling of a situation)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Heedful of potential consequences

Synonyms:

circumspect; discreet

Context example:

a discreet investor

Similar:

prudent (careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment)

Derivation:

discreetness (knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress)

 Context examples 

She performed her promise of being discreet, to admiration.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

A statistical distribution whose elements may only assume discreet values.

(Discrete Distribution, NCI Thesaurus)

He is discreet and silent, and has grown into manhood in my service.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

An area of knowledge considered as a discreet unit for some purpose.

(Domain, NCI Thesaurus)

It would be better for yourself, and all of us, if you WERE mercenary, Mr. Copperfield—I mean, if you were more discreet and less influenced by all this youthful nonsense.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and capable of preserving a secret.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A coded value specifying the discreet list of values describing the condition of the specimen at time of receipt at the lab.

(Biologic Specimen Condition Code, NCI Thesaurus)

I rapidly overtook it, and then, keeping at a discreet distance of a hundred yards or so, I followed its lights until we were clear of the town.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Do you want to be told that you are only unlike other people in being more wise and discreet?

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

One has to be discreet when one talks of high matters of state.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)