Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

discretionary income

noun

Definition of discretionary income

: income that is left after paying for things that are essential, such as food and housing
  • She has enough discretionary income to pay for a nice vacation each year.

Word by Word Definitions

discretionary play

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

  2. : available for discretionary use

See the full definition of discretionary
income play

  1. : a coming in : entrance, influx

  2. : a gain or recurrent benefit usually measured in money that derives from capital or labor

See the full definition of income

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up discretionary income? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games