Meaning & use
discretely
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Meaning
adverbnot comparableformaltechnical
In a way that keeps items separate and distinct from one another rather than blended together.
Grammar: Not comparable: you cannot be more discretely separate.
Patterns
- exist discretely
- measured discretely
Digital audio stores sound discretely, as separate numbers, not as a smooth wave.
The data points are plotted discretely on the graph.
Each stage of the process is handled discretely by a different team.
Common combinations
- measured discretely
- Temperature was measured discretely once every hour.
- vary discretely
- The number of children in a family varies discretely, not continuously.
- occur discretely
- The events occur discretely rather than overlapping.
- distributed discretely
- The values are distributed discretely across the table.
Synonyms and how they differ
- separately
- Separately is the everyday word, whereas discretely sounds more technical and stresses clear boundaries between parts.
- individually
- Individually focuses on treating each item on its own, while discretely describes how the items exist as distinct units.
- distinctly
- Distinctly can mean clearly or noticeably, but discretely means as separate units.
Opposites
Word family
- discrete adjective
- separate and distinct
- discreteness noun
- the quality of being separate and distinct
- discretion noun
- the freedom or ability to decide, or care in keeping things private
Commonly confused: discretely or discreetly?
discretely vs discreetly
Discreetly means in a careful, unobtrusive way to avoid attention; discretely means as separate parts. They sound identical but have unrelated meanings.
Practice
She slipped out of the meeting ___ so nobody noticed. Which word fits?
Choose one answer.
Discreetly means quietly and without attracting attention. Discretely means as separate units and does not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “discretely”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.