What does discretionally mean?
"Discretionally" is a formal adverb meaning "according to one's own judgment or choice, rather than under a fixed rule or obligation." When an official acts discretionally, they weigh the circumstances themselves and decide what seems appropriate, rather than following a mandated procedure. The word belongs chiefly to legal, financial, and administrative registers: statutes may permit judges to reduce penalties discretionally, and investment managers may be authorized to deploy funds discretionally on a client's behalf. In ordinary conversation it is rare — most speakers say "at their discretion" instead. Its root is the Latin discerneré family (to separate, distinguish), which also gives us "discreet" and "discretion." Writers should take care not to confuse it with "discreetly" (tactfully, unobtrusively) or "discretely" (separately); despite the visual similarity, the meanings are entirely different.
adverbIn a manner based on individual judgment or choice rather than fixed rules; at one's discretion. It is a formal, relatively rare adverb used chiefly in legal and administrative writing.
- According to one's own judgment or discretion, rather than according to fixed rules or mandatory requirements.
"The committee may allocate the remaining funds discretionally, without prior approval from the board."
"Judges may discretionally reduce sentences where mitigating circumstances are shown."
"The fund's assets may be invested discretionally by the appointed manager."
"Discretionally" is the adverb lawyers reach for when they want to say 'the rules don't apply here — someone's judgment does.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of discretionally
"Discretionally" derives from "discretion," which comes from Latin discretio, from discernere, "to separate or distinguish." The noun entered English via Old French in the medieval period, and the adverb was formed later by adding the adverbial suffix "-ally" (via the adjective "discretionary/discretional"). It shares its ultimate Latin root with cognates such as "discern," "discreet," and "discrete."
How discretionally is actually used
Formal and comparatively uncommon; in everyday English speakers usually rephrase with "at their discretion" or "as they see fit." The word appears most often in legal, financial, and administrative contexts. Because it looks similar to "discreetly," careful writers sometimes avoid it in favor of clearer alternatives.
Easily confused with discretionally
"Discretionally" means according to one's own judgment, while "discretely" means separately or in distinct parts (from "discrete").
"Discreetly" means carefully so as to avoid attracting attention, whereas "discretionally" means by one's own judgment or choice.