discreet

/dɪˈskriːt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈskriːt/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈskrēt/ (ame, mw)

discreet — 形容詞

  • discreetpositive
  • discreetercomparative
  • discreetestsuperlative

1. Acting in a way that avoids upsetting others or letting private information beco

1.形容詞B2
釋義

謹慎的

顧慮他人感受而不張揚

Acting in a way that avoids upsetting others or letting private information become widely known.

例句

Layla was discreet about the office restructuring and told no one outside the management team.

Layla 對於公司部門重組的事情非常謹慎，沒有告訴管理團隊以外的任何人。

collocation: discreet about [topic]

The nurse asked in a discreet whisper so that other patients would not hear.

護士壓低聲音謹慎地發問，以免其他病人聽到。

adjective before noun: discreet whisper

同義詞
  • tactful

    Focuses on not offending others, while discreet adds the idea of keeping secrets.

  • diplomatic

    More formal; emphasises skill in handling sensitive situations.

  • careful

    Broader; discreet is more specific about secrecy and avoiding embarrassment.

反義詞
  • indiscreet

    The direct opposite — revealing things that should stay private.

  • tactless

    Offensive or insensitive, often without meaning to be.

文法句型

be discreet about [topic]

discreet + noun

keep something discreet

用法筆記

Often used with 'about' to introduce the topic being kept private: 'discreet about her plans'.

常見錯誤

❌He is very discreet and tells everyone everything.
✅He is very discreet and tells no one anything.
💡Being discreet means keeping things private, not sharing them widely.

2. Showing the ability to make sensible, well-considered decisions about what to sa

2.形容詞C1
釋義

審慎的

言行判斷力強

Showing the ability to make sensible, well-considered decisions about what to say or do in social or professional situations.

例句

Élise was discreet in her reply to the difficult question at the board meeting.

Élise 在董事會議上回答那個棘手的問題時，表現得非常審慎。

collocation: discreet in [action]

A discreet investor studies every detail before putting money into a new business.

審慎的投資人會在投入資金之前，仔細研究新事業的每一個細節。

adjective before noun: discreet investor

同義詞
  • prudent

    Closer in meaning; prudent focuses on avoiding risk, discreet on social appropriateness.

  • judicious

    More formal; emphasises wisdom and sound reasoning in decisions.

  • sensible

    Broader; discreet adds a layer of social awareness and restraint.

反義詞
  • imprudent

    Lacking good judgment; acting without thinking of consequences.

  • rash

    Acting too quickly without careful thought, the opposite of prudent judgment.

文法句型

be discreet in [action/speech]

discreet + noun (choice, handling, reply)

用法筆記

This sense overlaps with 'prudent' and 'judicious', but discreet emphasises the social and interpersonal aspects of good judgment — knowing what is appropriate to say or do around others.

常見錯誤

❌The CEO was discreet by spending company money carelessly.
✅The CEO was discreet by carefully weighing every business decision before acting.
💡Discreet means sensible and careful, not careless.

3. Designed or placed in a way that does not draw attention and is easy to go unnot

3.形容詞C1
釋義

不顯眼的

低調而不引人注意

Designed or placed in a way that does not draw attention and is easy to go unnoticed.

例句

A discreet sign outside the café simply read 'Coffee' in small silver letters.

咖啡館外面掛著一個不顯眼的招牌，上面用小小的銀色字體寫著「Coffee」。

adjective before noun: discreet sign

The security cameras were discreet and hidden inside the smoke detectors in the hallway.

那些監視攝影機裝在走廊的煙霧偵測器裡，設計得很不顯眼。

同義詞
  • unobtrusive

    Nearly identical; discreet is slightly more common for human behaviour, unobtrusive for objects.

  • inconspicuous

    Emphasises the quality of being hard to notice.

  • subtle

    Broader; discreet implies a deliberate intention to avoid notice, while subtle can be unintentional.

反義詞
  • obtrusive

    Unpleasantly noticeable; the direct opposite of discreet in this sense.

  • conspicuous

    Easily seen or attracting attention.

文法句型

discreet + noun

be discreet

remain discreet

用法筆記

This sense applies mainly to objects, designs, and physical features rather than people. It describes things that are intentionally subtle or low-key.