discretion
Americannoun
-
the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice.
It is entirely within my discretion whether I will go or stay.
-
the quality of being discreet, especially with reference to one's own actions or speech; prudence or decorum.
Throwing all discretion to the winds, he blurted out the truth.
- Synonyms:
- sense, discrimination, wisdom, judgment
idioms
noun
-
the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid social embarrassment or distress
-
freedom or authority to make judgments and to act as one sees fit (esp in the phrases at one's own discretion, at the discretion of )
-
the age at which a person is considered to be able to manage his own affairs
Etymology
Origin of discretion
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English discrecioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin discrētiōn-, stem of discrētiō “separation”; equivalent to discreet + -ion
Explanation
If you have the freedom to decide something on your own, the decision is left to your discretion. You're in charge. Discretion traces back to the Latin verb discernere, "to separate, to discern," from the prefix dis-, "off, away," plus cernere, "separate, sift." If you use discretion, you sift away what is not desirable, keeping only the good. If you have the freedom to choose, something is "at your discretion." Watch out when you hear the phrase "viewer discretion advised" on TV or at the movies — you will most likely encounter profanity and violence.
Vocabulary lists containing discretion
Fever 1793
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The Things They Carried
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The Tempest
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Discretion that is “suitably directed and limited” would “ensure … the sentencing authority is apprised of the information relevant to the imposition of sentence and provided with standards to guide its use of that information.”
From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026
Discretion is the enemy here — not Warsh, and not the AI thesis.
From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026
Simmons sponsored Longshore’s bill, known as the Judicial Discretion Act.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 16, 2024
Discretion is a needed component in covering the news – and it is what is most lacking.
From Salon • Nov. 9, 2023
“We can’t help you. We’re the Swiss embassy. Do you know nothing about the Swiss? Discretion is kind of our thing. That’s what we do. Tough luck.”
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
