marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
"his trusted discreet aide"
"a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace"
unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic
"a discerning editor"
"a discreet silence"
heedful of potential consequences
"circumspect actions"
"physicians are now more circumspect about recommending its use"
"a discreet investor"
Respectful of privacy or secrecy; exercising caution in order to avoid causing embarrassment; quiet; diplomatic.
"She handled the sensitive topic with great discretion, ensuring no details were overheard by others."
In plain English: Discreet means being careful and quiet so that no one notices what you are doing.
"She asked me to keep our conversation discreet so no one else would hear us gossiping about her plans."
Usage: Use discreet when describing someone who is careful not to attract attention, such as a person acting quietly at a party. Do not confuse it with discrete, which refers to separate or distinct items rather than privacy.
The word discreet comes from the Latin verb discernere, meaning to separate or distinguish. It entered English via Old French as discret.