What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cretionary
Example
The hiring process is cretionary and follows strict guidelines. [cretionary: adjective]
Example
The judge's decision was cretionary and followed the legal procedures. [cretionary: adjective]
discretionary
Example
The manager has discretionary power to approve or deny requests. [discretionary: adjective]
Example
I have some discretionary income that I can use for entertainment or savings. [discretionary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discretionary is more commonly used than cre tionary in everyday language. Discretionary is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cre tionary is less common and is typically used in formal or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cretionary and discretionary?
Cre tionary is typically associated with a formal or legal tone, while discretionary is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.