What does discretionally mean?
Discretionally refers to actions taken or decisions made according to one's own judgment, free from external control or strict rules. This adverb is often used in contexts where a degree of autonomy is granted to individuals or authorities, allowing them to exercise their discretion. For instance, a manager might act discretionally when choosing which employees to promote, taking into account various factors beyond strict qualifications. The term implies a level of trust in the decision-maker's ability to make sound judgments. Discretionally is commonly used in professional, academic, and bureaucratic settings, where decisions often require a balance between guidelines and individual judgment.
adverbIn a discretionary manner; according to one's own discretion or judgment.
- In a manner that is left to one's own judgment or discretion.
- According to the discretion of the person or authority in charge.
"The manager acted discretionally in deciding which employees to promote."
"The committee acted discretionally in awarding the grants."
"The new policy allows managers to make decisions discretionally."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of discretionally
Discretionally originates from the Latin 'discretio,' meaning 'a distinguishing, separating,' and the adverbial suffix '-ally.' The term 'discretion' entered English in the 14th century, and 'discretionally' developed later as an adverbial form. It is related to 'discreet,' which shares the same Latin root.
Usage notes
Formal or semi-formal register; often used in professional, academic, or bureaucratic contexts.