ENGLISH
REFERENCE

discretionary

adj.
C1 Advanced US //dɪsˈkɹɛʃəˌnɛɹi// UK //dɪskɹˈɛʃənəɹi// dis·cre·tionary

adj. available to be used or decided by someone based on what they think is best, rather than being fixed by a rule.

adj. left to individual judgement or choice rather than being dictated by fixed rules or requirements.


SIMPLE

The manager has a discretionary fund for small office repairs.

CONTEXTUAL

After paying for rent and groceries, she had very little discretionary income left for hobbies or travel.

COMPLEX

The judge exercised his discretionary powers to reduce the sentence, citing the defendant's lack of prior convictions and genuine remorse during the trial.

Synonyms
Origin

From discretion + -ary (“pertaining to”). Compare French discrétionnaire.

Usage

Often used to modify nouns related to finance or authority, such as 'income', 'spending', or 'power'.

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