discreet
gb/dɪskɹˈit/ us/dɪskɹˈit/
B2
English
~ 7900
diszkrét, visszafogott, nem feltűnő, megfontolt, körültekintő
B2
1
diszkrét
B2
Usage pattern:
to be discreet about [something]
Please be discreet about what I told you; I don’t want everyone at work to know.
Kérlek, kezeld diszkréten, amit elmondtam neked; nem szeretném, ha a munkahelyemen mindenki tudna róla.
The manager was very discreet and never discussed staff problems in front of other employees.
A vezető nagyon diszkrét volt, és soha nem beszélt a munkatársak problémáiról más alkalmazottak előtt.
They had a few discreet conversations before announcing the deal to the public.
He tried to be discreet when asking about her health, because it was a sensitive subject.
I trust her because she is discreet with personal information.
Learner examples
Please be discreet and do not tell anyone my secret.
Kérlek, légy diszkrét, és ne mondd el senkinek a titkomat.
He was very discreet when he talked about his friend’s problems.
Nagyon diszkrét volt, amikor a barátja problémáiról beszélt.
The doctor was discreet and spoke quietly about my test results.
You should be discreet about money when you talk with strangers.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "discreet" with "discrete". "Discreet" means careful and private in what you say or do; "discrete" means separate or distinct (for example, "discrete units"). Another mistake is to use "secret" when the idea is not to hide something completely, but just to handle it quietly and politely—in that case, "discreet" is more accurate.
Meaning
careful with private information
Collocations
be discreet
|be discreet about [details]
|discreet meeting
|discreet inquiry
|discreet conversation
|discreet relationship
Synonyms
tactful (Focuses more on not offending people, while "discreet" also stresses protecting privacy.)
|
circumspect (More formal and suggests careful thought about possible risks, not only about privacy.)
|
guarded (Suggests being closed or cautious, sometimes more negative or defensive in tone than "discreet".)
Antonyms
indiscreet (Direct opposite; describes someone who carelessly reveals private or embarrassing information.)
|
gossipy (Describes someone who talks a lot about others’ private lives instead of keeping things discreet.)
Themes
communication
|relationships
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Careful about what you say or do so you do not share private information or make someone feel bad.
Careful in speech or behavior so as not to reveal private or sensitive information or cause embarrassment.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a discreet [object or feature]
She wore discreet makeup that looked natural in the office.
Visszafogott sminket viselt, amely természetesnek hatott az irodai környezetben.
A discreet logo on the bag shows the brand without being too obvious.
A táskán lévő visszafogott logó jelzi a márkát, anélkül, hogy túl feltűnő lenne.
They chose a discreet hotel entrance so celebrities could arrive without being seen.
He sat at a discreet table in the corner, away from the crowd.
The security cameras are discreet, so customers barely notice them.
Learner examples
She likes discreet jewelry that is small and simple.
Olyan visszafogott ékszereket szeret, amelyek kicsik és egyszerűek.
The restaurant sign is very discreet; you can almost miss it.
Az étterem táblája nagyon visszafogott; szinte észre sem lehet venni.
He stood at a discreet distance and watched quietly.
They put the camera in a discreet place on the wall.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "small" or "quiet" when they really mean that something does not attract attention. In these cases, "discreet" or "subtle" is better, especially for design, style, or placement (for example, "discreet logo", not just "small logo"). There is also confusion with "discrete" (separate), which is unrelated to this visual/behavioral meaning.
Meaning
not attracting much attention
Collocations
discreet makeup
|discreet jewelry
|discreet sign
|discreet presence
|discreet packaging
|discreet design
Synonyms
subtle (Suggests something is fine or delicate; "discreet" highlights not drawing attention.)
|
low-key (More informal; emphasizes simple and not showy, similar to this sense of "discreet".)
|
unobtrusive (More formal; strongly emphasizes not standing out or interfering visually or socially.)
Antonyms
flashy (Describes something that is bright or showy and clearly attracts attention, opposite of discreet style.)
|
conspicuous (Means easy to see or notice; a conspicuous object stands out, unlike a discreet one.)
Themes
appearance
|design
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
Quiet and not easy to see or notice; not big, loud, or showy.
Not easily noticed or attracting attention; modest or subtle in appearance, style, or behavior.
C1
FORMAL
3
megfontolt
B2
körültekintő
C1
Usage pattern:
a discreet [decision/action/approach]
In such a tense situation, remaining silent was the most discreet course of action.
Ilyen feszült helyzetben a hallgatás volt a legmegfontoltabb lépés.
Keeping a discreet distance from the negotiations allowed them to avoid being drawn into the conflict.
Azzal, hogy kellő távolságot tartottak a tárgyalásoktól, sikerült elkerülniük, hogy belesodródjanak a konfliktusba.
It was discreet of the board to wait for more information before making a final decision.
Choosing a smaller, safer investment turned out to be a discreet and profitable move.
Her discreet handling of the crisis prevented it from becoming a public scandal.
Learner examples
Staying calm was a discreet choice in that argument.
Megfontolt döntés volt nyugodtnak maradni abban a vitában.
It was discreet of him to wait and get more facts.
Megfontolt dolog volt tőle, hogy várt, és előbb több tényt gyűjtött.
Taking a taxi home after midnight was a discreet decision.
Keeping a discreet distance from the fight was the right thing to do.
Common mistake:
Learners often use only "careful" or "safe" and miss the idea of good judgment over time. "Discreet" here suggests not just being careful in one moment, but choosing a wise and low-risk way to act overall. This sense also overlaps with the privacy sense, but in contexts like "discreet choice" or "discreet approach", it is more about judgment than about secrets.
Meaning
showing careful, cautious judgment
Collocations
discreet choice
|discreet course of action
|discreet approach
|discreet handling
|discreet silence
|discreet distance
Synonyms
prudent (Very close in meaning; often used for cautious and sensible choices about the future.)
|
judicious (More formal; stresses sound judgment and careful thought, often in official or serious contexts.)
Antonyms
reckless (Describes actions taken without thinking about danger or consequences, opposite of being discreet and cautious.)
|
imprudent (Formal opposite; means lacking good judgment or not being careful about risks.)
Themes
behavior
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
|business
|work
Definition
Careful and wise in what you do, so you avoid problems or danger.
Showing prudence and good judgment, especially by acting carefully and avoiding unnecessary risks or trouble.
Grammar
Dictionary form
discreet
IPA
GB/dɪskɹˈit/
US/dɪskɹˈit/
Syllables & stress
dis - creet (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (creet)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: discreet
Word family
Core family
discreetly
adverb
discretion
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
indiscreet
adjective
indiscretion
noun C1
Advanced or less common
discretionary
adjective C1
Expressions
be discreet
1/bˈi dɪskɹˈit/
fixed phrase
behave without sharing private things
To act or speak carefully so that you do not share private information or make someone feel embarrassed.
Examples
- Please be discreet when you talk about the merger; the staff don’t know about it yet.
- Doctors must be discreet with what they tell other people about their patients.
keep it discreet
1/kˈip ˈɪt dɪskɹˈit/
fixed phrase
informal
handle something quietly and privately
To deal with something quietly and privately so other people do not find out or do not pay attention.
Examples
- We’re planning a surprise party, so please keep it discreet for now.
- They asked the reporter to keep it discreet until the official announcement.