indiscretion
gb/ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/ us/ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
event
1
careless act or remark
A careless thing you do or say that causes problems.
Usage pattern:
an indiscretion; an indiscretion about [something]; an indiscretion with [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse it with "indifference"; indiscretion is about poor judgment or lack of tact.
Synonyms
gaffe (Often a social or public mistake, especially in speech.)
|
blunder (A more general serious mistake, not always about tact or privacy.)
|
slip (Often a small, accidental mistake; less formal.)
Antonyms
discretion (Careful judgment about what to do or say.)
|
tact (Skill in speaking or acting without offending.)
Collocations
a serious indiscretion
|a minor indiscretion
|a regrettable indiscretion
|a public indiscretion
|a political indiscretion
|an indiscretion in public
|an indiscretion that cost [someone] [something]
|commit an indiscretion
|make an indiscretion
|forgive an indiscretion
Themes
communication
|social_life
|mistakes
Examples
- His indiscretion at the meeting—mentioning the merger talks—quickly reached the press.
- She apologized for the indiscretion and asked everyone to keep it confidential.
- A single indiscretion on social media can damage your reputation.
Learner examples
- It was an indiscretion to share her secret.
- Please be careful and avoid indiscretions at work.
Noun
formal
C1
event
2
sexual or moral lapse
A sexual or romantic act that people judge as wrong, especially cheating.
Usage pattern:
a sexual indiscretion; an indiscretion with [someone]
Common mistake:
This meaning is often indirect and euphemistic; it usually implies an affair rather than a minor mistake.
Synonyms
affair (More direct; clearly means a relationship, often secret.)
|
infidelity (Focuses on unfaithfulness as a concept rather than one incident.)
|
fling (Usually short and casual; not always presented as morally wrong.)
Antonyms
fidelity (Faithfulness in a committed relationship.)
|
faithfulness (General commitment and loyalty to a partner.)
Collocations
a sexual indiscretion
|a marital indiscretion
|an indiscretion with a colleague
|deny an indiscretion
|admit an indiscretion
|rumors of indiscretion
|a past indiscretion
|forgive an indiscretion
Themes
relationships
|ethics
Examples
- The tabloid reported a possible indiscretion between the actor and a co-star.
- He tried to reassure his partner that the indiscretion was a one-time mistake.
- The senator’s career suffered after allegations of indiscretion.
Learner examples
- The newspaper wrote about his indiscretion.
- She left him after his indiscretion.
Noun
formal
C1
property
3
lack of discretion
Not being careful about what you say or do.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s indiscretion; indiscretion in [something]
Common mistake:
Often uncountable in this sense; learners may overuse the plural when describing the general trait.
Synonyms
indiscreetness (A close synonym that names the quality directly.)
|
thoughtlessness (Broader; not specifically about privacy or tact.)
Antonyms
discretion (The ability to keep information private and act tactfully.)
|
prudence (Careful, sensible judgment in general.)
Collocations
a reputation for indiscretion
|habitual indiscretion
|chronic indiscretion
|indiscretion in speech
|indiscretion with confidential information
|criticize [someone]'s indiscretion
|be known for indiscretion
|punish indiscretion
Themes
personality
|communication
Examples
- His indiscretion made him a risky person to include in sensitive discussions.
- The company dismissed her for repeated indiscretion with client data.
- They valued her discretion and avoided colleagues with a history of indiscretion.
Learner examples
- His indiscretion causes problems at work.
- Discretion is important; indiscretion can hurt people.
Grammar
Dictionary form
indiscretion
IPA
GB/ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
US/ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - dis - cre - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (cre)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: indiscretion
- Plural: indiscretion, indiscretions
Word family
Forms
indiscretions
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
indiscreet
adjective
indiscreetly
adverb
Advanced or less common
discretionary
adjective C1
Expressions
a moment of indiscretion
1/ə mˈoʊmənt əv ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
one brief careless act
A short time when you make a bad choice.
Examples
- In a moment of indiscretion, he forwarded the email to the wrong person.
- She said it was just a moment of indiscretion, but the comment hurt her friend.
- One moment of indiscretion can undo years of trust.
the indiscretions of youth
1/ðə ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃənz əv jˈuθ/
fixed phrase
formal
mistakes made when young
Mistakes people often make when they are young.
Examples
- He spoke with surprising honesty about the indiscretions of youth.
- The memoir recounts the indiscretions of youth without self-pity.
- She hoped time would erase the indiscretions of youth.
youthful indiscretion
1/jˈuθfəl ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
Mistake made during youth
A small bad choice made when someone was young.
Examples
- He dismissed it as a youthful indiscretion from his college days.
- Her arrest was due to a youthful indiscretion she now regrets.
youthful indiscretion
1/jˈuθfəl ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
minor mistake when young
A silly mistake you made when you were young.
Examples
- He described the arrest as a youthful indiscretion and moved on with his life.
- The company decided not to penalize her for a youthful indiscretion on social media.
- Most people have at least one youthful indiscretion they’d rather forget.