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

• optional
• voluntary

Examples of discretionary in a Sentence

discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year

Recent Examples on the Web

The entire non-defense discretionary budget amounts to about nine hundred billion dollars—one-seventh of the total. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 June 2025

One protection now in place is that county supervisors need approval from the wider board before issuing contracts using their discretionary funding. —Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 15 June 2025

Yet, Costco sells a significant amount of discretionary items, including furniture, so both are at risk should high-value customers choose to delay such purchases. —Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Many economists contend public funding for stadiums isn't worth it, because sports tend to divert discretionary spending away from other forms of entertainment rather than generate new income. —Arkansas Online, 6 June 2025

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.