Discreetly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Discreetly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action done in a careful and unobtrusive manner, often to avoid drawing attention. Example: "She discreetly passed the note to her friend during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He acted as the family enforcer, discreetly settling problems with some of the thousands of royals who live in the capital.

The Guardian

The Growler, which first saw action in Iraq in 2010 and has been extensively (though discreetly) deployed during the NATO air war against Colonel Qaddafi's forces in Libya, is a souped-up version of the Super Hornet.

The Economist

"They're hoping to negotiate a decrease in violence with that one group".Officials insist there is no going back to the old practice in which Mexican governments turned a blind eye to drug gangs provided they acted discreetly.

The Economist

But as long as firms are now prepared to publish such evidence, it is surely worth considering whether any of them were indeed experimenting discreetly with techniques that outperformed the public numbers.

The Guardian - Opinion

The secret police files, codenamed Gorilla, featured wiretaps of leading financiers meeting discreetly with centre-right governing politicians to trade government tenders for cash.

The Guardian

And, for second generation Latinos who discreetly agonize over our Spanish language attrition.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in a move that was barely noticed at the time, the Queen discreetly based herself at Windsor Castle after the 2010 election, and sent the political leaders a quiet signal not to bother her until a credible prime minister had emerged.

The Guardian

Leaked memos suggested that Whitehall was discreetly considering grisly specifics, such as arbitrarily cutting some disabled adults' stipend, simply because they happened to be young.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the library, discreetly located off to one side of the courtyard, we plonked ourselves down in front of the roaring, pine-scented open fire and took a long breath.

The Guardian - Travel

One paper, written by the Foreign Office Middle East division on 20 April 2009, says "in order to manage the very real risks posed by Megrahi's declining health, the foreign secretary [David Miliband] agreed our handling strategy... working discreetly, including with the US, to secure agreement by the Scottish executive for Megrahi's transfer to Libya under the PTA [prisoner transfer agreement]".

The Guardian

That need for speed was demonstrated one weekend in 2011 when his predecessor at ANSSI had to take "urgent security measures" at the finance ministry after determined and well-organised hackers succeeded, discreetly, in penetrating the ministry's computer system.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discreetly" when you want to emphasize that an action is performed in a way that avoids drawing attention or causing embarrassment. It's especially useful in contexts where privacy or confidentiality is important.

Common error

The most common error is confusing "discreetly" with "discretely". "Discreetly" means in a way that avoids causing offense or revealing private information. "Discretely" means separately or distinctly. Always double-check your spelling to ensure you're using the correct word.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "discreetly" functions primarily to modify verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It emphasizes that the action is carried out in a way that is unobtrusive and avoids causing attention or offense. Ludwig AI shows this is a common and accepted use in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discreetly" is a versatile adverb used to describe actions performed in a manner that avoids drawing attention or causing offense. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and travel writing. Remember to differentiate it from "discretely" to avoid spelling errors. Consider alternatives like "unobtrusively", "inconspicuously", and "tactfully" to add nuance to your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "discreetly" to convey sensitivity and professionalism in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inconspicuously

This term emphasizes the avoidance of attracting attention, blending into the background.

Unobtrusively

This term emphasizes the act of not being easily noticed, focusing on the lack of visibility or intrusiveness.

Subtly

This refers to actions performed in a delicate, understated way that is not immediately obvious.

Circumspectly

This suggests caution and careful consideration of all circumstances before acting.

Tactfully

This indicates handling a situation with sensitivity and skill to avoid causing offense.

Secretly

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the action, done without others' knowledge.

Privately

This highlights the aspect of something being done in a non-public setting or manner.

Judiciously

This indicates acting with sound judgment and wisdom, especially to avoid negative outcomes.

Confidentially

Focuses on maintaining secrecy and not sharing information with unauthorized parties.

Carefully

Implies attention to detail and a deliberate approach to avoid mistakes or unwanted consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "Discreetly" in a sentence?

"Discreetly" is an adverb, so it modifies a verb. For example: "He "discreetly passed" the note during the meeting." Or, "The Queen "discreetly based" herself at Windsor Castle."

What can I say instead of "Discreetly"?

You can use alternatives like "unobtrusively", "inconspicuously", or "tactfully" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "Discreetly" in formal writing?

Yes, "Discreetly" is appropriate for formal writing. It conveys a sense of professionalism and attention to privacy, which is often valued in business and academic contexts.

What is the difference between "Discreetly" and "Secretly"?

While both words imply a lack of openness, "discreetly" focuses on avoiding attention or embarrassment, while "secretly" emphasizes concealment and the prevention of others' knowledge. For instance, you might "discreetly leave" a party to avoid a scene, but "secretly plan" a surprise.