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Discrete or Discreet?
The Difference between "Discrete" and "Discreet"
"Discrete" and "discreet" are easy to confuse because they sound identical (i.e., they are perfect homonyms).- Discrete. "Discrete" means "individually distinct." For example:
- The ship has four discrete sections.
- Discreet. "Discreet" means "inconspicuous" or "respecting secrecy." For example:
- His service is very discreet.
- There is a rack on the bench that contains all the discrete electronic components.
- Our club has three discrete membership categories.
- You can trust my aide — he is very discreet.
- The painting was won by a discreet telephone bidder.
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More about "Discrete"
The adjective "discrete" means "individually distinct" or "separate" (i.e., something that is not part of something else).Example sentences with "discrete":
More about "Discreet"
The adjective "discreet" means "respecting secrecy," "inconspicuous," or "diplomatic."Example sentences with "discreet":
A Video Summary
Here is a short video summarizing the difference between "discrete" and "discreet."Ways to Remember Discrete and Discreet
With "discrete," the e's are separated. Let this remind you that "discrete" means "individually distinct."With "discreet" the two e's look like shifty eyes. Let this remind you that "discreet" means "secretive."
Discrete Variables
In Mathematics, there is a type of variable called a "discrete variable." A discrete variable is one that cannot take on all values within its range. For example, in a survey, you might be asked to rate a holiday from 1 to 5. In this survey, you cannot choose 1.7 or 3.4. You can only choose 1,2,3,4 or 5. You cannot pick any values in between. The survey expects you to select a discrete variable.Next lesson >
See Also
adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? What are adjectives? List of easily confused wordsPage URL