Private vs. Discreet
Difference Between Private and Discreet
Privateadjective
Belonging to, concerning, or accessible only to an individual person or a specific group.
Her address is private; you can't have it.private papersDiscreetadjective
Respectful of privacy or secrecy; exercising caution in order to avoid causing embarrassment; quiet; diplomatic.
With a discreet gesture, she reminded him to mind his manners.John just doesn't understand that laughing at Mary all day is not very discreet.Privateadjective
Not accessible by the public.
private propertyDiscreetadjective
Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.
Privateadjective
Not in governmental office or employment.
He quit public life, living quietly as a private citizen.Discreetadjective
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint;
his trusted discreet aidea discreet, finely wrought gold necklacePrivateadjective
Not publicly known; not open; secret.
The identity of the beneficiaries of the trust is private.Discreetadjective
unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic;
a discerning editora discreet silencePrivateadjective
Protected from view or disturbance by others; secluded.
Can we go somewhere more private?Discreetadjective
heedful of potential consequences;
circumspect actionsphysicians are now more circumspect about recommending its usea discreet investorPrivateadjective
Not traded by the public.
private corporationPrivateadjective
Secretive; reserved.
He is a very private person.Privateadjective
Not shared with another patient.
Privatenoun
A soldier of the lowest rank in the army.
Privatenoun
The genitals.
Privatenoun
(obsolete) A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.
Privatenoun
(obsolete) Personal interest; particular business.
Privatenoun
(obsolete) Privacy; retirement.
Privatenoun
(obsolete) One not invested with a public office.
Privatenoun
A private lesson.
If you want to learn ballet, consider taking privates.Privatenoun
an enlisted man of the lowest rank;
our prisoner was just a private and knew nothing of valuePrivateadjective
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy;
a private placeprivate discussionsprivate lessonsa private cluba private secretaryprivate propertythe former President is now a private citizenpublic figures struggle to maintain a private lifePrivateadjective
concerning things deeply private and personal;
private correspondenceprivate family mattersPrivateadjective
concerning one person exclusively;
we all have individual carseach room has a private bathPrivateadjective
not expressed;
secret (or private) thoughts
