discreetdi‧screet /dɪˈskriːt/ ●○○ adjective 
Word Origin
He assured her that he would be discreet. I stood back at a discreet distance.2small and showing good taste or judgment – use this to show approval: discreet jewelry—discreetly adverb
Word OriginWORD ORIGINdiscreet
ExamplesOrigin:
1300-1400 French discret, from Latin discretus, past participle of discernere; ➔ DISCERNEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- A discreet nod indicated that he was ready to leave.
- A private detective was sent to make discreet inquiries about Miss Hutton's financial situation.
- Andrew's very discreet -- he won't tell anyone you're leaving.
- Chambers was discreet about the affair.
- He followed at a discreet distance.
- People might gossip if we arrived together. It would be much more discreet for us to go there separately.
- Skirt lengths are a discreet inch above the knee.
- We offer a discreet and personal service to our clients.
- Gaily followed them at a discreet distance and watched as they lowered Miss Faith Lavender into her last resting place.
- He was about to kiss her again when he heard a discreet cough.
- Marshall, according to some discreet enquiries he had made, was innocent of trespass - of any kind.
- Sign language is almost essential in shops too, but it's a little less embarrassing because you can be more discreet.
- The new arrangement caused much criticism of the administrative board members, who maintained a discreet silence.
- They were rebuked as unwise and improper by the more discreet.
- We were all pretty open with each other but very discreet outside.
Longman Language Activatorcareful about what you say to other people► careful
Collocations: careful what/how etc · You have to be careful what you say to her, she's very easily offended.· They were both aware that there might be listening devices in the room, and she wanted to be careful what she said.careful (not) to do something · "Failing your exams isn't the end of the world,'' said Kay's mother, careful not to sound disappointed.· She is careful not to criticize the president, but makes it clear that she thinks the government's policies should be far more radical.
► tactful careful not to do or say anything that will hurt or embarrass other people: · I wish you'd be more tactful - didn't you realize she was divorced?tactful about: · My parents tried to be tactful about my new boyfriend, but I knew they didn't like him.
► guarded if you make a guarded statement, remark etc you are careful not to let other people know much about your thoughts or intentions: · Michael Fallon, MP for Darlington, has given the scheme a guarded welcome.· Their message was expressed in very guarded language.
► discreet formal very careful about what you say or do, so that you do not make people feel angry, upset, or embarrassed: · A private detective was sent to make discreet inquiries about Miss Hutton's financial situation.· People might gossip if we arrived together. It would be much more discreet for us to go there separately.
careful not to upset or embarrass someone► tactful careful not to mention something that may upset or embarrass someone: · Mandy thought her mother's outfit was a little too fancy, but was too tactful to say so.it is tactful of somebody to do something: · It wasn't very tactful of you to ask whether he'd put on weight.a tactful way of doing something: · "Besides..." Melissa hesitated, trying to think of a tactful way of telling him the truth.
► diplomatic skilful in the way that you deal with other people, and carefully avoiding saying anything that might offend or annoy them: · A good secretary needs to be efficient, and above all diplomatic.· Robson was trying to be as diplomatic as possible - he didn't want to risk losing a promotion.
► discreet someone who is discreet is careful not to say anything that will embarrass another person, especially by making sure that secret or private information does not become generally known: · Andrew's very discreet -- he won't tell anyone you're leaving.· We offer a discreet and personal service to our clients.
► polite careful not to offend someone, especially by not being completely honest when telling them what you think about something: · Did you mean what you said about my dress, or were you just being polite?polite about: · The guests were all very polite about the meal, but inside Joan just wanted to cry.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► more
1careful about what you say or do, so that you do not offend, upset, or embarrass people or tell secrets OPP indiscreet: · Sign language is almost essential in shops too, but it's a little less embarrassing because you can be more discreet.· They were rebuked as unwise and improper by the more discreet.· Bodie walked down the stairs, through one of the fire doors, a more discreet position from which to watch.· But leaders of such movements could easily work out less controversial and more discreet arrangements to satisfy their drives.· Charcoal, navy or brown are more discreet than black or other colours.· Smaller, more discreet means of cleaning up are preferable when you are out for a walk.
► very· We are all very discreet here, you see.· It was all couched in very discreet language, the words never inflammatory.· We were all pretty open with each other but very discreet outside.
NOUN► distance· Gaily followed them at a discreet distance and watched as they lowered Miss Faith Lavender into her last resting place.· Lightman immediately creates sympathy for Bennett, and yet holds him at a discreet distance.· Billy rowed across and followed her at a discreet distance.· As it was, it would be better to maintain a discreet distance.· But then she smiled at him and slipped away quickly, following him at a discreet distance.· Gustave often followed at a discreet distance.· Ace helped her out, leading her towards a Range Rover parked a discreet distance away.
He assured her that he would be discreet. I stood back at a discreet distance.2small and showing good taste or judgment – use this to show approval: discreet jewelry—discreetly adverb