What does discretionarily mean?
Discretionarily is an adverb that means used to indicate that something is done according to one's own judgment or discretion. It is often used in formal or professional contexts to convey a sense of careful consideration and judgment. The word is derived from the noun discretion, which refers to the ability to make decisions based on one's own judgment. Discretionarily is used to describe actions that are taken with careful consideration and a sense of responsibility. It is often contrasted with words that imply a lack of consideration or judgment, such as impulsively or recklessly. In general, discretionarily is a useful word for describing situations where careful consideration and judgment are necessary.
adverbUsed to indicate that something is done according to one's own judgment or discretion.
- Used to indicate that something is done according to one's own judgment or discretion.
"She handled the situation discretionarily, choosing not to involve her colleagues."
"She handled the situation discretionarily, choosing not to involve her colleagues."
"The manager made decisions discretionarily, taking into account the company's goals and values."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of discretionarily
The word discretionarily is derived from the noun discretion, which comes from the Old French word descreet, meaning 'skilled' or 'judicious'. The word has been used in English since the 15th century to describe the ability to make decisions based on one's own judgment. Over time, the word has evolved to include the adverbial form discretionarily, which is used to describe actions that are taken with careful consideration and a sense of responsibility.
Usage notes
Discretionarily is often used in formal or professional contexts to convey a sense of careful consideration and judgment.