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discretionary
/dɪˈskrɛʃəˌnɛri/
available for use as desired
The company allocates a discretionary budget for employee wellness programs.
The budget can be used freely for wellness initiatives based on company needs.
formal
available for use at one's own discretion; optional
Employees have discretionary access to the company gym.
Access to the gym is optional and not mandatory.
The judge has discretionary power to reduce the sentence.
The judge can decide to lower the penalty based on circumstances.
Often used in legal, financial, or organizational contexts to describe funds, time, or resources not strictly allocated.
Law
formal
relating to or exercising the power of discretion
The court's discretionary ruling set a precedent for future cases.
The judge's decision was based on their own judgment rather than strict legal guidelines.
In law, refers to decisions made by a judge or authority that are not strictly bound by rules.
Collocations
discretionary incomemoney left after paying for necessitiesdiscretionary spendingnon-essential purchasesat the discretion ofdepending on someone's decision
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 'discreet'
'Discretionary' refers to something that can be chosen freely, while 'discreet' means being careful to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. E.g., 'discretionary funds' vs. 'a discreet conversation.'
Gold Rule
Use with nouns denoting resources
Pair 'discretionary' with nouns that imply allocation or choice, such as 'budget,' 'funds,' 'time,' or 'power.' Avoid pairing with abstract nouns like 'feelings' or 'ideas.'
Word Origin
From Latin *discretionarius*, meaning 'relating to discernment,' derived from *discretio* (discernment), from *discernere* (to separate, distinguish). Entered English in the 14th century via Old French *discretion*.
Usage Notes
Common in formal contexts like finance, law, and business. Avoid using in casual speech unless mimicking a formal tone. Often paired with terms like 'funds,' 'spending,' or 'power.'
Word Breakdown
discretion
the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information
root-ary
relating to or characterized by
suffixEnglish Dictionary