Dictionary Entry
discretion
Part of SpeechnounPronunciation/dɪˈskɹɛʃən/Word FrequencyCommon (4.92)Curriculum FrequencyLess common (1)The quality of being discreet or circumspect.
In a Sentence
“Bob showed great discretion despite his knowledge of the affair.”
Published Usage Examples
“This has come about because the word discretion is an unword in police management-officers are regarded as no more than units of production to fulfill the business plan regardless of the consequences.”
“It was true geatlemen had seemed willing to allow them what they called discretion; but. il was such a soil of discretion as a criminal wight be said Id tiave, who was told he might choose this or that posture of suffering, but that he must die.”
This entry also appears in ReadingWillow Year 11 word lists, so students can move between the dictionary and year-level study sets.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin discretio, from discernere ‘discern’.
Common Phrases
Antonyms
Related Words
Poetry examples for “discretion”
Excerpts from the ReadingWillow English Library collection.
Poetry examples are still being gathered for this entry. They will appear here once matching poems are available in the library.
