First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
discretion
noun dis·cre·tion \dis-ˈkre-shən\
: the right to choose what should be done in a particular situation
: the quality of being careful about what you do and say so that people will not be embarrassed or offended : the quality of being discreet
Full Definition of DISCRETION
1
: the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment : the quality of being discreet : circumspection; especially : cautious reserve in speech
2
: ability to make responsible decisions
3
a : individual choice or judgment <left the decision to his discretion> b : power of free decision or latitude of choice within certain legal bounds <reached the age of discretion>
4
: the result of separating or distinguishing
See discretion defined for English-language learners
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Examples of DISCRETION
- Though it is worth noting that to live in a place where other people come just for pleasure has the odd effect of making me feel transient, while the visitors seem more fixed and permanent in their lives, coming as they do from more conventional homes far away. It is as if I am always waiting for them and am here at their discretion. —Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
- In Texas “capital” murder doesn't necessarily mean a death-penalty case; it's the designation for any aggravated murder, and prosecutors have full discretion in deciding whether to seek death in such cases. —John Cloud, Time, 14 July 2003
- Del Monte was a courtier, bureaucrat, diplomat and politician born and bred and he understood the need for discretion. —Peter Robb, The Man Who Became Caravaggio, (1998) 1999
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Origin of DISCRETION
(see discreet)
Related to DISCRETION
- Synonyms
- discreetness, common sense, gumption [chiefly dialect], horse sense, levelheadedness, nous [chiefly British], policy, prudence, sense, sensibleness, wisdom, wit
- Antonyms
- imprudence, indiscretion
Rhymes with DISCRETION
accession, aggression, bull session, compression, concession, confession, depression, digression, egression, expression, impression, ingression, jam session, obsession, oppression, precession, procession, profession, progression, recession, refreshen, regression, repression, secession, skull session, succession, suppression, transgression
DISCRETION Defined for Kids
discretion
noun dis·cre·tion \di-ˈskre-shən\
Definition of DISCRETION for Kids
1
: care in not attracting attention or letting out private information <Use discretion in dealing with the situation.>
2
: the power to decide what to do <I'll leave it to your discretion.>
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