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Discreet vs Sly - What's the difference?

discreet | sly | Related terms |

Discreet is a related term of sly.


As adjectives the difference between discreet and sly

is that discreet is respectful of privacy or secrecy; quiet; diplomatic while sly is artfully cunning; secretly mischievous; wily.

As an adverb sly is

slyly.

discreet

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Respectful of privacy or secrecy; quiet; diplomatic.
    • With a discreet gesture, she reminded him to mind his manners.
    John just doesn't understand that laughing at Mary all day is not very discreet .
  • Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.

    • Usage notes

    * Do not confuse with discrete .

    Derived terms

    * discreetly * discretion

    Anagrams

    * ----

    sly

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete)

    Adjective

  • Artfully cunning; secretly mischievous; wily.
  • Dexterous in performing an action, so as to escape notice; nimble; skillful; cautious; shrewd; knowing; — in a good sense.
  • Done with, and marked by, artful and dexterous secrecy; subtle; as, a sly trick.
  • Light or delicate; slight; thin.

    • Synonyms

    * artful * cunning * knowing * sharp * crafty * shrewd * shifty * sly as a fox * slim * wily * See also

    Derived terms

    * sly as a fox * slyboots * slyness

    External links

    * *

    Adverb

  • Slyly.

    • Anagrams

    * ----