discretion
B2Formal to neutral. Common in professional, legal, and official contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The freedom or power to decide or choose what should be done in a particular situation, based on one's own judgment; the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing private information.
In legal contexts, the authority given to an official or court to make decisions based on their own judgment within certain bounds. In computing/security, a principle of access control where users are only allowed access to information they need.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an uncountable noun. Often implies good judgment, caution, and sensitivity. Central concepts: judgment, choice, confidentiality, power to decide.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Meaning is identical. 'Discretionary' is more common in American financial/legal contexts (e.g., discretionary spending). The phrase 'at one's discretion' is slightly more formal in British English.
Connotations
Both varieties carry strong connotations of trust, responsibility, and wisdom. Slightly stronger association with privacy and restraint in UK usage.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English, particularly in legal/business media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + discretion: have, use, exercise, show, leave to, act with, advise[adjective] + discretion: absolute, complete, full, sole, judicialat + [possessive] + discretion: at my/your/his/her/their/the court's discretiondiscretion + [preposition] + [noun]: discretion in handling matters, discretion over fundsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “At someone's discretion”
- “Discretion is the better part of valour”
- “Use your discretion”
- “Surrender your discretion”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Managers have discretion over their departmental budgets.
Academic
The study examines the exercise of judicial discretion in sentencing.
Everyday
I'll leave it to your discretion whether to cancel the picnic.
Technical
The system operates on the principle of least privilege and mandatory access control, not user discretion.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- He acted discreetly, not mentioning the client's name.
- She discreetly slipped the note into his hand.
American English
- The agent discreetly surveyed the room.
- Please handle this matter discreetly.
adjective
British English
- The manager has discretionary powers to award bonuses.
- Discretionary spending was the first to be cut.
American English
- The fund is for discretionary use by the committee.
- Discretionary income levels affect consumer behavior.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher used her discretion and let us finish the game.
- Parents should use discretion when choosing films for young children.
- Hotel check-out time is at the discretion of the manager.
- He was hired for his discretion and reliability with sensitive information.
- The contract allows for price adjustments at the sole discretion of the supplier.
- Journalists must exercise professional discretion when reporting on traumatic events.
- The court's broad discretion in such matters is a cornerstone of the common law system.
- The principle of prosecutorial discretion is central to the functioning of the justice department.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DISCreet perSON. A DISCREET person shows good JUDGMENT and careful choice - that's DISCRETION.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISCRETION IS A TOOL/WIDGET (exercise discretion, use discretion); DISCRETION IS A RESOURCE/POSSESSION (have discretion, grant discretion); DISCRETION IS A BOUNDED SPACE/FREEDOM (broad discretion, within one's discretion).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'дискретный' (discrete). The Russian 'усмотрение' is a direct equivalent but is more bureaucratic. 'Благоразумие' captures the 'good judgment' aspect but not the 'power to choose' aspect.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a countable noun (*a discretion). Confusing with 'discreteness'. Using 'in discretion' instead of 'with discretion' or 'at one's discretion'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the core meaning of 'discretion'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Discretion' is about judgment and choice. 'Discreteness' is the quality of being separate and distinct.
Almost never. 'Discretion' is an uncountable noun. You cannot have 'a discretion' just as you cannot have 'a water'.
It means it is your choice or decision to make, based on your own judgment. E.g., 'You may leave early at your discretion.'
The main adjective is 'discretionary', meaning 'available for use at someone's discretion'. 'Discreet' is a related adjective meaning 'careful and prudent', especially in speech.