Discrètement

Discrètement is a French adverb meaning “in a discreet, unobtrusive, or quiet manner.” It describes actions performed with tact, privacy, or subtlety, often to avoid drawing attention or causing disruption. While it can imply secrecy in a neutral sense, its primary sense is prudent and restrained behavior rather than deception.

Etymology and formation: the adverb is derived from the adjective discret, which in turn comes from Latin discretus. The suffix -ément converts the adjective into an adverb, yielding discrètement. This formation follows a common pattern in French where adjectives ending in -et or -et-like forms take -ément to form corresponding adverbs.

Usage and nuance: discrètement is versatile across registers—from everyday speech to literary prose. It can describe speaking softly, moving without conspicuity, or handling information with care and confidentiality. The nuance is generally neutral to positive, emphasizing tact and modesty. It is distinct from furtivement (furtively, with a sense of evading detection) and secrètement (secretly, often implying a hidden motive).

Examples: Il a discuté discrètement de son idée pour ne pas perturber la réunion. Elle a conservé les détails discrètement jusqu’à ce qu’un accord soit trouvé.

See also: discreet, discretion, discret. Translations in English include “discreetly,” and cognates appear in other Romance languages as discretamente or discretamente.