What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discretionary
Example
The company offers discretionary bonuses to employees based on their performance. [discretionary: adjective]
Example
She used her discretionary income to buy a new laptop. [discretionary: adjective]
voluntary
Example
He made a voluntary donation to the charity. [voluntary: adjective]
Example
The company offers voluntary retirement packages to eligible employees. [voluntary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Voluntary is more commonly used than discretionary in everyday language. Voluntary is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while discretionary is less common and often used in legal or financial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between discretionary and voluntary?
Both discretionary and voluntary can be used in formal and informal contexts, but discretionary is more commonly used in legal or business settings where precise language is necessary to avoid confusion or ambiguity.
