discretionary
Left to someone's own judgment
Decided by a person or group, not strictly set by a rule or law.
discretionary [power/decision/payment]
- The judge has discretionary powers to reduce the sentence in special cases.
- Employees may receive a discretionary bonus based on overall company performance.
- The board made a discretionary decision to fund the project despite the risks.
- Scholarships are awarded on a discretionary basis by the committee.
- The manager has discretionary authority to approve small refunds without asking head office.
- The teacher has discretionary power to give extra time on the test.
- The company gave workers a discretionary bonus at the end of the year.
- The bank manager can make a discretionary decision to lower the fee.
- Aid is given on a discretionary basis, not to every applicant.
- The judge used her discretionary authority to change the fine.
About nonessential money or spending
Describing money you have left after you pay for basic things like food and rent, which you can spend on extra things you want.
discretionary [income/spending/budget/funds]
- Rising rents have reduced many families' discretionary income.
- During a recession, consumers often cut back on discretionary spending first.
- The company has a small discretionary budget for staff training and development.
- We used our discretionary funds to upgrade the office computers.
- Travel and entertainment are usually considered discretionary expenses.
- My discretionary income is small after I pay my rent and bills.
- People often reduce discretionary spending when they lose their job.
- We put our discretionary funds into a holiday trip.
- Eating at restaurants is a discretionary expense for many families.
- The city has a discretionary budget for special community projects.
- Base: discretionary
discretionary authority
1Right to decide using judgment
The official right to choose what to do in certain situations, instead of always following a fixed rule.
- Managers have discretionary authority to approve small discounts for customers.
- The law gives the agency discretionary authority in how it enforces the rules.
- Under the new policy, teachers have less discretionary authority over grading.
discretionary bonus
1Bonus paid only by choice
An extra payment from a company that is not guaranteed and is given only if the employer decides to give it.
- Staff may receive a discretionary bonus depending on company profits.
- Because it was a discretionary bonus, the amount changed each year.
- The contract makes clear that any bonus is entirely discretionary.
discretionary income
1Money left after basic costs
The money you have left after you pay for basic needs like housing, food, and bills, which you can spend on extra things you want.
- Higher energy prices have eaten into people's discretionary income.
- With more discretionary income, she started traveling abroad every year.
- Young professionals often spend a large part of their discretionary income on entertainment.
discretionary powers
1Official powers used by judgment
Legal or official powers that allow a person, like a judge or officer, to decide what to do based on their own judgment.
- Immigration officers have wide discretionary powers at the border.
- The court's discretionary powers are limited by the new legislation.
- Local councils were granted discretionary powers to close unsafe venues.
discretionary spending
1Nonessential, choice-based spending
Money you spend on things that are not basic needs, like holidays or new gadgets, which you can choose to cut if needed.
- Households are reducing discretionary spending because of economic uncertainty.
- The government plans to review all discretionary spending in next year's budget.
- Dining out and luxury goods are typical examples of discretionary spending.