discretionary Definition
- 1available for use at the discretion of the user
- 2left to one's own judgement
Using discretionary: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "discretionary" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The company offers a discretionary bonus to its employees.
Example
The teacher has discretionary power over the grading system.
Example
The use of the company car is discretionary and subject to availability.
discretionary Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for discretionary
Phrases with discretionary
the amount of money left over after paying for necessities such as housing, food, and bills
Example
She used her discretionary income to travel to Europe.
spending on non-essential items or services that are not required for basic living standards
Example
The government is considering reducing discretionary spending to balance the budget.
the power to make decisions based on personal judgement rather than following strict rules or procedures
Example
The CEO has discretionary authority over the company's budget.
Origins of discretionary
from Latin 'discretio', meaning 'separation, distinction'
Summary: discretionary in Brief
The term 'discretionary' [dɪˈskreʃənəri] refers to something that is available for use at the discretion of the user or left to one's own judgement. It can be used to describe bonuses, spending, or authority, as in 'The company offers a discretionary bonus to its employees.' 'Discretionary' is often used in formal contexts, and its synonyms include 'optional' and 'elective.'