What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discretely
Example
She discretely slipped the envelope into his pocket. [discretely: adverb]
Example
The company operates discretely in the background, providing support services to other businesses. [discretely: adverb]
distinctly
Example
I distinctly remember telling you about the meeting. [distinctly: adverb]
Example
Her voice was distinctly different from anyone else's in the room. [distinctly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distinctly is more commonly used than discretely in everyday language. Distinctly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while discretely is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between discretely and distinctly?
Both discretely and distinctly are relatively formal words that are more likely to be used in written or academic contexts than in casual conversation.
