Practice
Discrete or discreet: what is the difference?
Sign in to saveThe two words sound the same, but they do different jobs. A survey can have discrete sections. A colleague can be discreet about a private conversation.
Choose discrete for separate, distinct things and discreet for careful, tactful behaviour that avoids attention or embarrassment.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
discrete / discreet /dɪˈskriːt/ /dɪˈskriːt/
The short answer
Use discrete for separate and distinct items or parts. Use discreet for careful behaviour that keeps something private or unobtrusive.
The project has three discrete stages, but the manager was discreet about the budget discussion.
Why it works: Stages are separate parts, so they are discrete. The manager behaves carefully around a sensitive subject, so the manager is discreet.
5 more examples
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The course is divided into six discrete units.
Each unit is a separate part of the course.
Not this:The course is divided into
six discreet units. What changes: Units cannot be tactful or unobtrusive, so discreet does not fit this meaning. -
Please be discreet when you ask about her absence.
The speaker asks for tact because the subject may be private.
Not this:Please
be discretewhen you ask about her absence. What changes: Discrete means separate, not tactful, so it does not describe the requested behaviour. -
The report keeps sales figures in discrete categories.
The categories are distinct groups rather than one continuous group.
Not this:The report keeps sales figures in
discreet categories. What changes: Categories can be separate, but they cannot themselves act with tact. -
He gave the waiter a discreet signal from across the room.
The signal is intended to avoid drawing other people's attention.
Not this:He gave the waiter
a discrete signalfrom across the room. What changes: Discrete could suggest a separate signal, but it loses the intended idea of being unobtrusive. -
The technician tested each discrete component before assembly.
Each component is an individual part that can be tested on its own.
Not this:The technician tested
each discreet componentbefore assembly. What changes: A component is a separate object; discreet would wrongly give it a human quality of tact.
Read the full guide
Ask what the word describes. If it describes separate units, categories, or steps, choose discrete. If it describes a person, question, action, or way of behaving around a sensitive matter, choose discreet.
Start with the meaning
Both words are adjectives, and both have the same sound. The choice depends on meaning. Choose discrete when you mean separate or distinct. Choose discreet when you mean careful about privacy, attention, or another person's feelings.
Discrete: separate steps in a process. Discreet: a tactful question about a private matter.
Use discrete for separate parts
Use discrete for things that can be treated as individual parts instead of one whole. The word often appears with groups, stages, values, units, components, or categories. It is especially useful when you need to show that the parts remain distinct.
The workshop has two discrete sessions: one in the morning and one after lunch.
Use discreet for tact and privacy
Use discreet for behaviour that avoids embarrassment, unwanted notice, or the disclosure of private information. A person can be discreet, and so can a question, a conversation, an entrance, or a service. In each case, the idea is careful restraint.
The receptionist gave the visitor a discreet reminder about the appointment time.
Keep the adverbs separate too
The same spelling difference appears in the adverbs. Discretely means as separate parts or values. Discreetly means with tact or without attracting attention. Check whether the sentence describes division into parts or a careful manner of acting.
The app stores the two settings discretely, while the assistant discreetly moves the papers aside.
Make a final spelling check
You are describing a note sent quietly so that other people will not notice it. Which word fits: She left a ___ note on his desk?
Use discreet. The note is meant to avoid attention. Use discrete only when the note is one separate item among others.
Before you go
Remember this
Use discrete for separate parts, items, or categories. Use discreet for tactful, private, or unobtrusive behaviour. They sound alike, so let the sentence meaning choose the spelling.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Discrete or discreet: what is the difference?"
What is the main difference between discrete and discreet?
Discrete means separate, distinct, or individually identifiable. Discreet means tactful, private, or careful not to attract attention. A course can have discrete units, while a person can be discreet when asking about a private absence.
The course is divided into six discrete units.
Are discrete and discreet pronounced the same?
Yes. In standard British and American English, both words are pronounced /dɪˈskriːt/. Because sound does not distinguish them, use the meaning of the sentence to choose the spelling: separate categories are discrete, while an unobtrusive signal is discreet.
The course is divided into six discreet units.
When should I use discrete?
Use discrete when you are describing separate parts, stages, items, groups, or categories. For example, a report may keep sales figures in discrete categories, and a technician may test each discrete component before assembly.
Please be discreet when you ask about her absence.
When should I use discreet?
Use discreet when someone or something acts with tact, preserves privacy, or avoids notice. You might ask a discreet question about an absence or give a waiter a discreet signal from across a room.
Please be discrete when you ask about her absence.
What is the difference between discretely and discreetly?
Discretely means in separate parts or as separate values. Discreetly means carefully, tactfully, or without attracting attention. For example, data can be stored discretely, while someone can discreetly move a file out of view.
The report keeps sales figures in discrete categories.