Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Based on or subject to individual discretion or judgment: Describes something that is done, exercised, or used according to one's own judgment or choice, rather than by fixed rules or regulations.
   • Optional, not mandatory: Refers to actions, powers, or expenditures that are not required but are available for use if deemed appropriate.

Usage

• The term "discretional" is used to describe authority, power, funds, or actions that are left to an individual's or a body's judgment. It is often used in formal, legal, financial, and administrative contexts. It is synonymous with "discretionary," which is the more common form in modern usage.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The manager has discretional authority to approve small budget overruns.
  • The use of these funds is entirely discretional and will be reviewed annually.
  • Judges often have discretional power in sentencing for minor offenses.

Advanced Usage

• "Discretional spending": Refers to non-essential expenses that a person or government can choose to make, as opposed to mandatory spending on necessities like debt or entitlements.
  • During the budget review, the committee focused on cutting discretional spending.
• "Discretional income": The amount of an individual's income left for spending, investing, or saving after taxes and necessities are paid.
  • After bills, her discretional income allows for a nice vacation each year.

Variants and Related Words

• Discretionary (adj): The more frequently used synonym for "discretional," meaning involving or using discretion. (e.g., )
• Discretion (n): The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information; the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Optional: Available to be chosen but not obligatory.
• Elective: Chosen by vote; optional.
• Voluntary: Done, given, or acting of one's own free will.

Antonyms

• Mandatory: Required by law or rules; compulsory.
• Obligatory: Required by a legal, moral, or other rule.
• Compulsory: Required by law or a rule.

Related Phrases

• At one's discretion: According to one's own judgment or choice.
  • Bonus payments are awarded at the manager's discretion.
• Exercise discretion: To use one's judgment carefully.
  • Police officers must exercise discretion in such situations.

Adjective

1. having or using the ability to act or decide according to your own discretion or judgment
   • The commission has discretionary power to award extra funds