French word

discret

Pronunciation

IPA/diskʁɛ/

Meaning

  • adjectivereserved

Example

Il est discret.

He is reserved.

Illustration for discret (reserved)

More examples

Il préfère rester discret en réunion.

He prefers to remain discreet during a meeting.

Core concept

A person stays in the background, acting and speaking with quiet restraint.

Common phrases

  • rester discret

    remain discreet

  • un geste discret

    a discreet gesture

Similar words

réservé: Not openly showing feelings or thoughts in public.
effacé: Present in an unobtrusive and self-effacing way.
silencieux: Quiet and not speaking much.

Definition in French

Qui agit ou parle sans ostentation, avec réserve et modestie.

Word origin

French discret comes from Latin discretus, the past participle of discernere, and developed from the idea of sound judgment to restrained conduct.

Usage tips

  • English discreet means tactful and private, while English discrete means separate; French discret corresponds mainly to discreet.

Other meanings

  • discreetadjective
  • inconspicuousadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word