“Discreet” or “Discrete”—Which to use?

“Discreet” or “Discrete”

Overview

discreet / discrete are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term. 👇

Definitions

discreet: (adjective) marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint.

discrete: (adjective) constituting a separate entity or part.

Pronunciation

discreet: d·ih·s·k·r·IY·t

discrete: d·ih·s·k·r·IY·t

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Examples in Context

Examples of “discreet”

This discreet royal prize is dwarfed by…
…gay, but lives a more discreet life with rent boys to…
Discreet about his private life, Johnny…
I have been discreet enough as to the last,…
…the best solutions to those discreet questions.
…is to be sober and discreet."
…authorized store managers to mount discreet product displays.
…has a vibrant though somewhat discreet artistic community.

Examples of “discrete”

…should rapidly settle into a discrete M-phase state after the transition,…
…time which divided time into discrete indivisible moments (kṣaṇa) and saw…
Although discrete circuits can be altered in…
…ROM was programmed by installing discrete semiconductor diodes at selected locations…
Every disjoint union of discrete spaces is discrete
…and can be preserved as discrete fragments or remain stuck to…
…problems by processing information on discrete form.
Discrete component ROM
…strokes, these strokes consist of discrete, side to side rockings of…
…science behind flow manufacturing for discrete manufacturers, whose products do not…

(Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions drawn from WordNet.)

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