discretion
Use Discretion in a sentence
ən noun
Idioms 1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
at discretion, at one's option or pleasure: They were allowed to work overtime at discretion.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To discretion
00:10
Discretion
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is complaisant. Does it mean:
| Showing satisfaction |
| to dress or adorn in a showy, gaudy, or tasteless manner |
Collins
World English Dictionary
discretion (dɪˈskrɛʃən) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid social embarrassment or distress |
| 2. | 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) |
| 3. | age of discretion, years of discretion the age at which a person is considered to be able to manage his own affairs |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
discretion
c.1300, from L.L. discretionem (nom. discretio) "discernment, power to make distinctions," from L. discretionem "separation, distinction," from discre- stem of discernere "to separate, distinguish" (see discern). Phrase at (one's) discretion attested from 1570s; the age
of discretion (late 14c.) in English law was 14.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
discretion
In addition to the idiom beginning with discretion, also see throw caution (discretion) to the winds.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The preference for rules over discretion is based on three main observations.
Should he have had more discretion, he could at a minimum have peeked at scores over the web.
People can use discretion about calories from sugar.
What is noisy or disruptive is solely within my discretion.
Idioms & Phrases
Nearby Words
Synonyms
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
