3 syllables: dis, cre, tion. Stress on cre.
dis-KRESH-uhn
/dɪsˈkɹɛʃən/
discretion is pronounced dis-KRESH-uhn (/dɪsˈkɹɛʃən/). It has three syllables (dis-cre-tion), with the stress on "cre". Discretion refers to prudent judgment in speech or action, especially regarding sensitive matters. It also means the quality of being discreet and private, exercising cautious restraint. The term encompasses careful choice of words, timing, and behavior to avoid offense or disclosure.
Discretion refers to prudent judgment in speech or action, especially regarding sensitive matters. It also means the quality of being discreet and private, exercising cautious restraint. The term encompasses careful choice of words, timing, and behavior to avoid offense or disclosure.
"Her discretion in discussing the topic kept the conversation respectful and productive."
"The policy requires discretion when sharing personal information with clients."
"He spoke with discretion, avoiding any hints about the deal's details."
Discretion is pronounced dɪˈskreʃ.ən with primary stress on the second syllable: dis-CRE-tion. The 'sc' is like /skr/ as in 'script' and the final '-tion' reduces to /ʃən/. An audio reference would be helpful; imagine saying 'diss-kree-shun' with a soft, quick -tion ending.
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (DIscretion) and compressing the second syllable so it sounds like 'discre-tion' or 'discrètion'. The key is stressing the 'CRE' part: /ˈskrɛʃ/ in the middle. Avoid turning '-tion' into a hard 'tio' syllable; keep it as /ʃən/.
In US and UK, the middle has /skrɛ/ with a clear /sk/ cluster; rhoticity affects only preceding vowels, not the /r/ after 's' here. US often has a smoother /ɪ/ in the first syllable, while UK may emphasize /ɪ/ and slight deli- cation in the second syllable. Australian tends to float vowels and a slightly shorter final /ən/. Overall, the /ˈskrɛʃ/ core is stable, with final /ən/ reducing similarly across accents.
The difficulty lies in the cluster /skr/ immediately after the initial unstressed syllable and the -tion ending, which reduces to /ʃən/. Mouth tension in producing /skr/ without adding a vowel before makes it tricky for learners whose L1 avoids consonant clusters. Practice by isolating /skr/ with a short /ɪ/ before it, then blend into /ˈskrɛʃən/.
A unique aspect is the nominal stress on the second syllable and the /ɪ/ in the first syllable being reduced toward a schwa in fluent speech, while the middle /skr/ cluster requires precise articulation to avoid nasalization or a misheard 'new-scretion' sound. In rapid speech, you’ll hear /ˈskrɛʃn̩/ with a syllabic /n/ in casual contexts.
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Discretion derives from the Latin discretio, meaning discernment or distinction, from discerner to separate or separate out. The root dis- suggests separation, while cretio relates to distinguishing or judging. In Old French, discrecion broadened to mean discernment and prudence, including circumspect behavior and privacy. In Middle English, discretion commonly referred to prudent judgment and the ability to withhold information. By the 17th century, discretion also assumed the sense of personal privacy and secret-keeping, aligning with social norms around discretion in speech and conduct. The word has maintained these dual aspects—judgment and privacy—through modern usage, often in legal, professional, and interpersonal contexts. First known uses appear in scholastic and legal texts from the 14th to 16th centuries, evolving to its current nuance in contemporary English.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "discretion" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "discretion" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "discretion"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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