| Noun | 1. | discretion - freedom to act or judge on one's ownliberty - freedom of choice; "liberty of opinion"; "liberty of worship"; "liberty--perfect liberty--to think or feel or do just as one pleases"; "at liberty to choose whatever occupation one wishes" | |
| 2. | discretion - knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress; "the servants showed great tact and discretion" | |
| 3. | discretion - refined taste; tactappreciation, discernment, perceptiveness, taste - delicate discrimination (especially of aesthetic values); "arrogance and lack of taste contributed to his rapid success"; "to ask at that particular time was the ultimate in bad taste" | |
| 4. | discretion - the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agenciespower, powerfulness - possession of controlling influence; "the deterrent power of nuclear weapons"; "the power of his love saved her"; "his powerfulness was concealed by a gentle facade" self-determination - determination of one's own fate or course of action without compulsion | |
| 5. | discretion - the trait of judging wisely and objectively; "a man of discernment"wisdom, wiseness - the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight prudence - discretion in practical affairs | |