Word

discretion

noun C1

/dɪˈskɹɛʃən/

Meanings

noun

careful judgment about what is appropriate to do or say; tact and privacy

noun

the freedom or authority to decide what to do in a particular situation

Definition

Discretion is the ability to make careful, sensible decisions and to avoid causing embarrassment or unnecessary attention.

Discretion means showing good judgment about what to do, say, or reveal in a particular situation. It often involves being tactful and keeping sensitive information private. The word can also refer to the freedom or authority to choose how to act within limits.

Examples

She handled the complaint with discretion, addressing the issue privately rather than in front of the whole team.
I trust his discretion, so I told him what happened and asked him not to share it further.
The editor used discretion when cutting the quote, keeping the meaning while removing personal details.
They left the final schedule to the coordinator’s discretion, provided the deadlines were still met.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse discretion (good judgment and tact) with discrimination (unfair treatment or the ability to notice differences).