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Discretionary vs Optional - What's the difference?

discretionary | optional |

As adjectives the difference between discretionary and optional

is that discretionary is available at one's discretion; able to be used as one chooses; left to or regulated by one's own discretion or judgment while optional is not compulsory; left to personal choice; elective.

discretionary

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Available at one's discretion; able to be used as one chooses; left to or regulated by one's own discretion or judgment.
    • discretionary income
    discretionary powers

    Derived terms

    * discretionary spending * nondiscretionary * nondiscretionary spending

    See also

    * abuse

    optional

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Not compulsory; left to personal choice; elective.
    • On that beach clothing is entirely optional .

    Antonyms

    * obligatory * mandatory * compulsory

    Related terms

    * option * optionality