Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Subject to or based on one's own judgment or choice: Refers to something that is not bound by fixed rules but can be decided or used according to individual judgment or circumstances.
   • Available for use as needed; not earmarked for a specific purpose: Often used to describe funds, income, or resources that are not pre-allocated and can be spent or used at one's discretion.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The manager has discretionary authority to approve these expenses. (The manager can approve these based on their own judgment.)
  • After paying all the bills, we have a small amount of discretionary income for entertainment. (This is money available for non-essential spending.)
  • The use of these funds is entirely discretionary. (Their use is based on choice, not a mandate.)

Advanced Usage

• "Discretionary spending": In economics and personal finance, this refers to non-essential expenses for goods and services not required for basic living (e.g., hobbies, vacations).
  • The government's budget includes a significant portion for discretionary spending on programs like education and defense.
• "At one's discretion" / "At the discretion of": Phrases indicating that a decision is left to someone's judgment.
  • Bonus payments are awarded at the manager's discretion. (The manager decides who gets a bonus.)

Variants and Related Words

• Discretion (n): The quality of behaving or speaking in a way that avoids causing offense or revealing private information; the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.
  • You can trust her discretion with confidential information.
• Discretionarily (adv): In a discretionary manner. (Less common)
  • The funds can be allocated discretionarily.

Synonyms

• Optional: Available to be chosen but not obligatory.
• Elective: Chosen by vote or requiring a choice; often used in medical/educational contexts.
• 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.
• Nondiscretionary: Not subject to individual choice; essential or fixed.

Adjective

1. (especially of funds) not earmarked; available for use as needed
   • discretionary funds
   • discretionary income
2. 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