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

Rising prices could pressure household budgets and derail consumer spending if Americans pull back on discretionary purchases, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee told CBS News earlier this month. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026

Wu also cited the end of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding that is leading the city to cut back on, or cease, funding for many discretionary grant programs that support small businesses and nonprofits, fill vacant storefronts and expand cultural programming. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026

The general fund is the part of the city budget that is used, like a discretionary checking account, to support the day-to-day operation of city services. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026

For some, the changes are more discretionary. —Mike Winters,kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,jennifer Liu,sarah Agostino,ryan Ermey, CNBC, 7 Apr. 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.