indiscretion
in-dih-SKRESH-un
/ˌɪndɪˈskreʃn/
Behavior or speech that is indiscreet or displays a lack of good judgment; often used as a euphemism for an affair.
A 'soft' word. It makes a serious affair sound like a minor mistake or a lapse in judgment. Often used by politicians or public figures.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'indiscretus,' meaning unseparated or not distinguished. If you have 'discretion,' you can distinguish between right and wrong; if you have 'indiscretion,' you fail to make that distinction.
Word relationships
- lapse: A temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment.
- impropriety: A failure to observe standards or show due honesty or modesty.
- discretion: The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.
Commonly confused with
- affair: An affair is the act; an indiscretion is the judgment (or lack thereof) that led to the act, often used to make it sound less serious.
Word family
- indiscreet (adjective): Having or showing a lack of judgment.
Collocations
- youthful indiscretion
- minor indiscretion
- moment of indiscretion
Example sentences
- "The senator dismissed the affair as a 'youthful indiscretion' that had no bearing on his current character." A political scandal.
- "One minor indiscretion in her past was enough to ruin her reputation in high society." A Victorian novel.
Memory hook
IN- (not) + DISCRETION. You weren't being DISCREET (careful). A lapse in judgment.
When not to use
Don't use it if you want to emphasize the gravity of the betrayal; it downplays the act.
Fun facts
- In the 18th century, 'indiscretion' was the standard polite way to refer to a woman's loss of 'virtue' without saying it directly.
Related words
Explore more words
discretion, impropriety, gaffe, equivocate, transgression, misconduct
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