Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - discreet

1. If you are discreet, you are polite and careful in what you do or say, because you want to avoid embarrassing or offending someone. They were gossipy and not always discreet... ADJ • discreetly I took the phone, and she went discreetly into the living room. ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV with cl 2. If you are discreet about something you are doing, you do not tell other people about it, in order to avoid being embarrassed or to gain an advantage. She’s making a few discreet inquiries with her mother’s friends. ADJ: oft ADJ about n • discreetly Everyone tried discreetly to find out more about him. ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV with cl 3. If you describe something as discreet, you approve of it because it is small in size or degree, or not easily noticed. She wore discreet jewellery. ADJ c darkgreen]approval • discreetly ...stately houses, discreetly hidden behind great avenues of sturdy trees... ADV: ADV -ed/adj