Discreet means tactful, quiet, not drawing attention: a discreet call, please be discreet. Discrete means separate, distinct: four discrete modules. They sound the same. A memory trick: in discrete, the t keeps the two e's apart, so they stand separately, just like the meaning.
discreet or discrete — can you pick the right one?
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discreet behaviour/enquiries; discrete groups/units; discreetly
- The receptionist made a discreet call so the other guests would not hear.
- The training programme is divided into four discrete modules.
- Please be discreet about the surprise until Friday.
What changed
First versionThe data were divided into three discreet categories, each separate from the others.
RevisionThe data were divided into three discrete categories, each separate from the others.
Discreet is the more common word, so it's the one people type out of habit. But here the categories are separate from each other, and separate is discrete. The ending -eet became -ete.
Discreetly means tactfully, without being noticed: she discreetly left the room. Indiscreet means saying too much: an indiscreet question. Discrete is usually paired with continuous: discrete data are separate values, continuous data form an unbroken range.
Your turn
Choose the word meaning separate: The report identifies five ___ stages.
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discrete — The meaning needed is separate, so it's discrete. Discreet is about tact and not drawing attention.
Describe a course or project made up of several separate parts. Use discrete.
The course has three discrete modules, and each one ends with a different practical task.
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