Discretionair

Discretionair is a term used in Dutch and English to describe decisions, powers, or allocations that are left to the judgment or discretion of a person or body rather than determined by fixed rules. It is commonly applied to administrative or financial contexts where outcomes are not strictly mandated but depend on evaluation and choice.

In Dutch usage, discretionair is typically used before nouns, for example discretionaire bevoegdheden (discretionary powers) or discretionair budget (discretionary budget). The word derives from Latin discretio and has a closely aligned meaning with the English term discretionary, reflecting the idea of choice or latitude rather than compulsion.

Common applications include discretionary spending in government budgets, discretionary powers in law and administration, discretionary investment management in finance, and discretionary grants or aid in philanthropy. In policy design and organizational governance, the term describes decisions or features that are not obligatory but left to the discretion of a competent authority.

Discretion implies flexibility but also risk, because outcomes depend on individual or institutional judgment rather than universal rules. The concept is frequently discussed to distinguish non-mandatory, evaluative choices from mandatory requirements, with attention to accountability, fairness, and efficiency in the use of resources or authority.

See also: discretion, discretionary spending, discretionary power, discretionary trust, discretionary funding.