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Discreet vs. Discrete: What's the Difference?
Quick answer
- Discreet means careful not to attract attention or share private things.
- Discrete means separate and distinct from each other.
The difference
Discreet is about behavior, tact and privacy. Discrete is about structure, parts that stand apart. They sound identical, so only the spelling tells the reader which you mean.
Discreet
- Usually
- adjective
- Think
- tactful
- Meaning
- Careful in what you say or do, especially to keep something private.
- Example
- Please be discreet, she hasn't told the team yet.
Discrete
- Usually
- adjective
- Think
- separate
- Meaning
- Individually separate and distinct.
- Example
- The course is divided into five discrete units.
When to use discreet
Use discreet for people, actions or designs that avoid drawing attention.
- He gave a discreet cough.
- The hotel staff were polite and discreet.
When to use discrete
Use discrete for parts, steps or values that are clearly separate from one another.
- Break the project into discrete tasks.
- Pixels are discrete points of color.
Remember it
In discrete, the t separates the two e's, just like discrete things stay apart.
Common mix-up
Incorrect: Thanks for being so discrete about my news.
Correct: Thanks for being so discreet about my news.
Keeping something private is being discreet.
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