discreet

Definitions

Same root as discrete: dis- (apart) + cret (sifted, from cernere) = able to sift things apart in judgment = having good judgment, knowing what to reveal and what to keep separate. A discreet person carefully sorts what should stay private.

Why It Means This

discreet and discrete were one word in Middle English, both from Latin discretus (separated). The "separate things in judgment" sense became discreet (prudent, careful), and the "physically separate" sense became discrete (distinct). English split the spelling so each could carry one meaning cleanly — a rare case of a word divorcing itself.

Common Collocations

• 1.be discreet about对……守口如瓶
• 2.a discreet inquiry谨慎的询问
• 3.keep a discreet distance保持得体的距离
• 4.discreet and tactful谨慎而圆滑

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Please be discreet about what I just told you.

• 2.

  The hotel is known for its discreet, attentive service.

• 3.

  She made a few discreet inquiries before accepting the job.

• 4.

  He kept a discreet distance from the arguing couple.

Easily Confused

discreet vs discrete — Same sound, same origin, but discreet = careful/tactful (be discreet), discrete = separate/distinct (discrete parts). Memory trick: the two e's in discreet huddle together quietly — like keeping a secret; the e's in discrete are split apart by the t — like separate units.