"Discreet" vs. "Discrete": How to Use Each Term Correctly

Even dedicated grammar nerds can face a roadblock over homonyms. They sound the same—and are sometimes spelled the same—but have different meanings. Pairs like stationary and stationery, elicit and illicit, and the particularly confusing discreet vs. discrete all fall under this umbrella.

These words can be a real pain, but knowing the difference between them is worth it. In professional and personal communications, proper spelling makes us look reliable and trustworthy. Misspellings, on the other hand, are the sort of grammar mistakes that make you look bad. Imagine the horror: You send an official communication and accidentally use loose instead of lose.

That’s why we’re zeroing in on one particularly confusing pair, understanding when to use discreet vs. discrete. Don’t worry: It’s easier than it sounds. And once you’ve mastered discreet vs. discrete, you can turn your attention to other grammar tips and tricks as well. Step by step, you’ll be able to use all these correctly and become a total grammar wizard! Read on for help.

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What does discreet mean?

Imagine you’re attending a lecture but slip in a few minutes late. The speaker has already started, so you don’t want to draw attention to yourself. You ease the door open and quickly find a seat without making a single noise. You are trying to be discreet and not call unwanted attention to yourself.

While discreet can describe how noticeable someone is—like you sneaking into that lecture—it can also apply to objects. Consider the tiny microphone clipped to an actor’s costume during a play. That’s also discreet.

But that’s not the only definition of this adjective. Merriam-Webster also defines discreet as “having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech.” This definition of the word can apply to conduct in social situations. Someone might ask you to be discreet while sharing sensitive information, for instance.

And finally, discreet may be used to describe elegantly simple things, like a discreet home.

Using discrete in any of those instances would be a grammar faux pas almost as cringeworthy as mixing up lay and lie.

Examples of discreet in a sentence

I’m planning a surprise party for Joel. Be discreet when you speak with him so you don’t ruin the plan.
The medical device is small and discreet, so no one will notice you’re wearing it.
Despite her sizable income, her home features discreet and understated decor.

Be sure not to use discrete in any of those instances. These words are not synonyms, as you’ll learn below.

What does discrete mean?

When you’re going through old clothing, you might categorize it into different piles as you decide what to get rid of and what to keep. But be sure to keep these groupings discrete—an adjective defined by Merriam-Webster as “constituting a separate entity; individually distinct”—so that the “sell” clothes don’t end up in the “recycle” pile, or vice versa.

As you can see, though the two homonyms sound alike, their meanings aren’t similar at all. Once you understand the definition of discreet vs. discrete, you can strike them off the list of words you’re using wrong.

Examples of discrete in a sentence

The lifeguards divided the children into discrete groups: advanced swimmers, intermediates and beginners.
When you’re baking, keep your ingredients discrete so your measurements can be exact.
The ice cream at the parlor was kept in discrete tubs to keep flavors from mixing accidentally.

Let’s quickly recap this discreet vs. discrete lesson: The words have discrete (not discreet!) and distinct definitions. At first, their spellings can seem like one of the most confusing grammar rules of the English language. And they may indeed be everyday words everyone misspells. But with practice and some tips, you can set yourself apart by getting them right.

The origins of discreet vs. discrete

Discreet Vs Discrete DANIEL GRIZELJ/GETTY IMAGES

Discreet and discrete share the same Latin root: the word discretus, a form of the Latin verb that means “to separate” and “to discern.” Both words entered the English language in the 14th century. Up until the 16th century, the word with a definition closer to discerning” or “private” was more common.

Spelling rules were more fluid at that time, so the word we now spell as discreet was spelled both ways. Choosing discreet vs. discrete wasn’t a huge issue back then (just in case this wasn’t tricky enough, right?).

In the 16th century, the word discrete with its current meaning began to gain popularity. That’s when the grammar rules changed, and the spellings discrete and discreet became distinct.

Tips for remembering discreet vs. discrete

Trying to determine the right usage of discreet vs. discrete? Here’s a handy way to tell them apart: Discreet has two e’s side by side like eyes. Discrete, on the other hand, has the letter t separating or making a distinction between the two e’s.

Another tip: Remember that just as separate ends in te, discrete also does. People also suggest imagining that the two e’s in discreet are huddled next to each other, sharing a secret—in other words, being discreet!

Keep in mind that these words also have adverb forms: discreetly vs. discretely, describing ways to do something. How should you tell someone that, for example, they have a bit of toilet paper stuck to their shoe? Discreetly! On the other hand, you can label the different parts of a song—chorus, verse and bridge—discretely.

With these tips, choosing the right spelling of discreet and discrete should be an easy task. You’ve got this! And now you’re free to turn your attention to something less complex—grammar jokes, anyone?

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