Discreet vs Discrete
discreet
tactful/careful
discrete
separate/distinct
How to tell them apart
discreEt keeps its two E's side by side, cozy, like a tactful person keeping a secret close. discretE has its E's separated by the T, standing apart = distinct. E's together = careful; E's apart = separate.
Test yourself
Fill in the blank: “Only one of these words means tactful/careful. That word is ______.”
Choose: discreet or discrete
Show answer
Answer: discreet
Discreet means tactful/careful, which matches tactful/careful. Discrete means separate/distinct, so it is the wrong choice here.
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