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

• elective
• optional
• voluntary

Examples of discretionary in a Sentence

discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year

Recent Examples on the Web

In discretionary purchases, the market corrects itself if allowed to operate naturally with consumers deciding the winners and losers. —Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Consumer discretionary stocks, down 2.7% across the board, were again the worst performers. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024

People have less money to spend on discretionary items like art and need to concentrate on economic survival and the purchase of basic commodities and needs. —Zain Jaffer, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024

But here’s some good news, at least from a retirement perspective: Generation X is spending less on discretionary purchases in 2024, Bank of America reports. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024

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

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.