discretionary

adjective

dis·​cre·​tion·​ary di-ˈskre-shə-ˌner-ē 

1

: left to individual choice or judgment : exercised at one's own discretion

discretionary powers

2

: available for discretionary use

discretionary income

Synonyms of discretionary

• optional
• voluntary

Examples of discretionary in a Sentence

discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, in England and the United States and across continental Europe, statutes that punished idleness sharpened into vagrancy laws that gave police discretionary power to identify when a form of nonaction constituted criminal disorder. — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

From fuel to food to energy, the cost of living is only going up, squeezing discretionary spending. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026

Lifestyle creep Another factor for high earners is lifestyle creep—the notion that increasingly luxurious household and discretionary spending quickly becomes perceived as a necessity as their income grows. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

Management may slow hiring, defer discretionary projects, renegotiate financing or reduce working capital without fundamentally changing the company. — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

discretion + -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing discretionary

• discretionary account
• discretionary income

Rhymes for discretionary

• accretionary
• apothecary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• constabulary
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary

Legal Definition

discretionary

adjective

dis·​cre·​tion·​ary dis-ˈkre-shə-ˌner-ē 

: left to discretion : exercised at one's own discretion

specifically : relating to the policy-making function of a public official see also Federal Tort Claims Act compare ministerial

Note: A public official generally has qualified immunity from lawsuits that arise from his or her discretionary acts.