This is another pair of homophones (words that sound alike but are different in meaning, spelling, or both) that can be very confusing. Discreet implies the showing of reserve and prudence in one’s behavior or speech. Discrete means something quite different: “distinct, separate, unrelated.”
Here are a few useful examples that exemplify their differences:
“They balked when the company hiked its price a few bucks a month, and they absolutely howled when Netflix tried to separate DVD rentals and online streaming into two discrete services.” –Matt Peckham, “Netflix Was Right, and We’re Being Fickle,” Time, October 25, 2011
“The beans, too, are not the usual congealing muddle, but discrete drops of heirloom yellow-eyes, scented with coriander.” –Ligaya Mishan, “Salsa, Flirting With Bok Choy,” New York Times, April 3, 2014
“Munro is a great writer; a wise writer; a free and brave, exacting, transformative, generous, and profoundly discreet writer.” –Gish Jen, “Alice Munro, Cinderella Story,” The Daily Beast, October 12, 2013
“It makes sense because texting is more discreet and can’t be overheard…” –Lily Hay Newman,” Crisis Hotlines Now Offer Texting With Counselors,” Slate, February 10, 2014
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Word Fact: What Is the Difference Between “Discreet” and “Discrete”? | Dictionary.com Blog: Word Fact: What Is the Difference Between “Discreet” and “Discrete”?
427 Comments
I have always tried to articulate my grammar with the correct morphology and syntax. I have discovered that unless I am speaking to someone with similar desires and education, the response is a blank stare because they do not want to acknowledge that they have no idea what I just said.
The reality is that most people, even educated, really do not speak in this manner. I once had a supervisor (with an MBA) tell me after a lengthy discussion on employee training, that I need to “dumb it down” when speaking to employees. I believe that was his way of saying that he had no idea what I just said and was talking about – it’s not like I was using $10 words, just using phraseology or diction correctly that any 5th grader should understand.
I believe that we as a society (USA) have lost the ability to speak in a manner that is simple. Today’s dialect leads to confusion and lack of context. Just listen to any politician!
- Interestingly enough, the “Deadwood” series was set in a mining town that was not part of any U.S. state or territory in the post-Civil War years.
Yet they spoke with such a deliberate diction that was grammatically correct and functional. There was little confusion (if any) and was very expressive and eloquent in sound.
Example: I was truly impressed with how the word ‘reconnoiter’ was used and was understood by all. Great writing but I can’t imagine that they really spoke that way back then – If they did, then we truly have lost the art of speaking and communication in today’s world!
Just my ‘two cents’.
Had a bit of a ‘Shakespearian’ flare to it.
Special note: I’m quite glad that we don’t speak in the old English tongue of the Shakespeare era!
OK, I’m done!
the water at the bottom right of the screen is playing tricks with your brain? The only difference I notice is a change of boldness in some of the puzzle lines,
..
:
Cracker Jacks !!!
@3
Discrete means unrelated or separate. The two Es are separated by “T”
Discreet means to reserve (or in an way hold together one’s composure) so the two Es are together in the spelling.
Oh, what a world.
PS- I don’t claim to be any smarter or more educated than any other person commenting in this forum. Furthermore, I am sure there are a number of grammatical errors in my own comment and I encourage people to tear it apart if they have are so inclined. I would enjoy the constructive criticism. For instance, was I supposed to capitalize “English” in that circumstance? Thanks!
“Cumon guys” is really not a word found in the dictionary nor is it a recipe. Rather it is a vernacular expression, “the plain variety of language in everyday use by ordinary people” of which you apparently distain. I believe you may be a Snob.”one who despises those considered inferior in rank, attainment, or taste.”
As the saying goes, Get A Life!!
2) You pushed one of my buttons Jim: “I stand in awe of you’re total understanding …” You used the contraction for “you are” instead of the possessive “your”. Oddly, I usually see it the other way around. I’m just a-sayin’…
(sic). WOW! How grammatically incorrect you are. It is impolite to criticize others and it is especially rude to do so in a condescending manner. It’s comical that a self righteous critic is such an enormous target of grammatical errors. What baffles me is your invitation to “tear” your comment apart. I find this to be more of a psychological matter.
It is sad that we cannot discuss a topic with interest, with “get a life”. I have life a very good and intersting life, mostly because I have an open mind. I’m elderly, and I feel new experiences and discussions keep my mind bright.
Each must be handled in a totally discrete manner.”
In these two sentences, the meaning is thus:
“I have several secret matters to discuss with you; and each must be handled separately.”
If we reverse the two homophones: “I have several discrete matters to discuss with you. Each must be handled in a totally discreet manner.”
The meaning of each sentence is changed, but, surprisingly, the meaning of the paragraph is not.
discreet: Secret, secretive, discretion
discrete: separate, totally different
Look at the *indentation* of each of the posts.
The most “outdented” seem to be presented newest to oldest. (Those with the text and Reply button at the left edge of the page.)
Those indented (the replies) seem to be presented oldest to newest. That applies to the posts at the same *level* of indentation.
This post, for example is a reply, to your reply, which is a reply to a post. 3 or 4 levels in depending on how you count.
I recognize this from programming/software as a tree of sorts. See “Tree_(data_structure)” in Wikipedia. Having spend much of my career looking a *data structures*, this is a familiar concept.
At the risk of exhausting you, the most “outdented” comment might be considered *comments* on the original article posted September 4, 2014. Anything indented is a reply to a comment, or a reply.
(We) Software Engineers are a strange lot…