Discreet
adjective
Definition
1. Careful not to cause embarrassment or attract attention.
2. Unobtrusive and subtle.
2. Unobtrusive and subtle.
Context Alive
She noticed her colleague had spinach stuck in his teeth during the important meeting. Rather than announce it to everyone, she was discreet about it — quietly passing him a note under the table so he could fix the problem without any embarrassment.
Meanings
2 meanings 1 Careful Not to Reveal or Embarrass (Adjective) — VERY COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about being careful not to reveal secrets or cause embarrassment. Imagine a friend who knows about your job interview but stays discreet about it at work, never mentioning it to anyone even when asked about your plans. This is being discreet — keeping things private. You might ask someone to be discreet about your relationship problems, or a doctor should be discreet with patient information. Or picture a lawyer who remains discreet about celebrity clients. The word suggests trustworthiness and tact.
Vivid ExampleWhen she discovered her boss was getting divorced, she remained completely discreet about the information, never gossiping with coworkers even though everyone was desperate to know what was happening.
2 Subtle and Unobtrusive (Adjective) — COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about something that doesn’t attract attention or stand out. Imagine wearing a discreet piece of jewelry to a formal dinner — something small and elegant that complements your outfit without screaming for attention. This is discreet — subtle and understated. You might prefer discreet packaging when ordering personal items online, or a photographer could follow from a discreet distance. Or think about a security guard who maintains a discreet presence at a party. The word suggests blending in rather than standing out.
Vivid ExampleThe bodyguards were positioned at discreet locations around the venue, close enough to respond quickly but far enough away that guests barely noticed they were there.
Examples from the Street
“Can you be discreet about this? I don’t want everyone knowing.”
Can you keep this quiet? I don’t want it getting around
“She made discreet enquiries about the job without telling her boss.”
She quietly asked about the position without letting her manager know
“The hotel offers discreet service — they respect your privacy completely.”
The accommodation provides unobtrusive service — they fully protect your personal space
Common Patterns
be discreet (about something) → keep something private; not tell others
very/extremely discreet → highly trustworthy with private matters
try to be discreet → attempt to avoid attracting attention
trust someone to be discreet → rely on someone to keep things private
discreet enquiries/questions → quiet investigation without attracting attention
discreet glance/look → a quick, subtle look that others don’t notice
discreet service → unobtrusive, respectful assistance
discreet packaging → plain wrapping that doesn’t reveal contents
discreet location/entrance → hidden or unnoticeable place
in a discreet manner/way → quietly, without drawing attention
discreet about [something] → careful not to reveal something specific
as discreet as possible → avoiding attention to the greatest extent
Collocations
4 collocationsbe discreet about
handle something quietly and privately
discreet enquiry
a quiet and private investigation
perfectly discreet
completely private and confidential
discreet manner
a way that avoids attracting attention
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
I told her about my plans, but I trust her to be discreet
I shared my intentions with her, but I’m confident she’ll keep them private.
2
He made discreet enquiries about her background before offering her the job
He quietly investigated her history before giving her the position.
3
She shot him a discreet glance across the room to check if he was okay
She gave him a subtle look from across the space to see if he was alright.
4
The restaurant has a discreet entrance that celebrities use to avoid photographers
The eating establishment has a hidden doorway that famous people use to escape the cameras.
5
Please be discreet about this — I haven’t told anyone else yet
Please keep this to yourself — I haven’t shared it with anybody else so far.
6
The company offers discreet packaging so neighbours won’t know what you ordered
The business provides plain wrapping so people nearby won’t see what you purchased.
7
A good assistant needs to be extremely discreet about their boss’s private life
A capable personal helper must be highly trustworthy regarding their employer’s personal affairs.
8
I tried to be as discreet as possible when leaving the meeting early
I attempted to exit the gathering ahead of time without anyone noticing.
9
The bodyguards maintained a discreet distance, close enough to help but not intrusive
The security personnel stayed at an unobtrusive range, near enough to assist but not in the way.
10
She handled the sensitive matter in a discreet manner that impressed everyone
She dealt with the delicate issue quietly and tactfully, which won everyone’s respect.
Learner Examples
★
Teachers need to be discreet when discussing a student’s difficulties with other staff
Instructors must be careful about privacy when talking about a learner’s struggles with colleagues.
★
If you need to check your phone during class, please do so in a discreet manner
If you must look at your mobile during the lesson, please do it without attracting attention.
Synonyms & Antonyms
7 items
Synonymstactful
being careful not to offend
subtle
not drawing attention
careful
being cautious with words or actions
low-key
informal — not making a big deal
Antonymsindiscreet
saying things you shouldn't
loud
drawing unwanted attention
obvious
easy to notice