Confusables Entry 140 / 1011 60-second read

Discreet vs. Discrete

Subtle/private versus separate/distinct.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

The data is stored in discreet chunks.

✓ Correct

The data is stored in discrete chunks.

More examplesii

01

Use discreet values for the enum.

Use discrete values for the enum.

02

We need to be discrete with the client's data.

We need to be discreet with the client's data.

The ruleiii

DISCREET = careful in speech or action; keeping secrets.

In engineering, 'discrete' is a key term (discrete math, discrete values), leading to frequent typos using the 'secret' spelling.

Memory aidiv

Remember it like this

DiscrEEt (EE) is like two eyes peeking (subtle). DiscrEtE (E-E) has a T separating the Es (separate).

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