Discreet and discrete sound exactly the same, and both are real words, so a spellchecker will not catch a mix-up.
1. Discreet → careful, not attracting attention
- Please be discreet: nobody knows about the merger yet.
- a discreet tattoo, a discreet word in someone's ear
Adverb: discreetly. Noun: discretion.
2. Discrete → separate, distinct
- The project is divided into three discrete phases.
- discrete data (counted in separate units, like the number of children) vs. continuous data (like height)
Adverb: discretely. Noun: discreteness.
3. A trick to remember
In discrete, the t separates the two e's, just as the word means "separate". In discreet, the two e's stay quietly together.
4. Discretion
Discretion belongs to discreet, not discrete. It also means the freedom to decide.
- Please handle this with discretion.
- The bonus is paid at the manager's discretion.
5. Common mistakes
- ❌ Our staff are always discrete.
- ✅ Our staff are always discreet.
- ❌ The course has four discreet modules.
- ✅ The course has four discrete modules.
- ❌ She discretely left the room.
- ✅ She discreetly left the room.
