What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discreet
Example
She was discreet about her personal life and never discussed it with anyone. [discreet: adjective]
Example
He discreetly slipped the envelope into her hand without anyone noticing. [discreetly: adverb]
prudent
Example
It would be prudent to save some money for emergencies. [prudent: adjective]
Example
She made a prudent decision to invest in a diverse portfolio of stocks. [prudent: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prudent is more commonly used than discreet in everyday language. Prudent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while discreet is less common and refers to a specific type of careful behavior.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between discreet and prudent?
Both discreet and prudent are associated with a formal tone, but prudent may be slightly more formal due to its use in financial and business contexts.