| English Dictionary |
DISCRETIONARY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does discretionary mean?
• DISCRETIONARY (adjective)
The adjective DISCRETIONARY has 2 senses:
1. having or using the ability to act or decide according to your own discretion or judgment
2. (especially of funds) not earmarked; available for use as needed
Familiarity information: DISCRETIONARY used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Having or using the ability to act or decide according to your own discretion or judgment
Synonyms:
discretional; discretionary
Context example:
The commission has discretionary power to award extra funds
Similar:
arbitrary (based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice)
Derivation:
discretion (the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies)
discretion (freedom to act or judge on one's own)
Sense 2
Meaning:
(especially of funds) not earmarked; available for use as needed
Context example:
discretionary income
Similar:
unrestricted (not subject to or subjected to restriction)
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"It's better to say «good work» than «I hope to find you well»." (Albanian proverb)
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