How to Pronounce “discretionary”

American (US)

/dɪsˈkɹɛʃəˌnɛɹi/

British (UK)

/dɪˈskɹɛʃən(ə)ɹi/

adjective — Available at one's discretion; able to be used as one chooses; left to or regulated by one's own discretion or judgment.

Example: discretionary income.

Where the stress falls. “discretionary” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /dɪsˈkɹɛʃəˌnɛɹi/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /dɪsˈkɹɛʃəˌnɛɹi/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "discretionary" mean?

discretionary (adjective): Available at one's discretion; able to be used as one chooses; left to or regulated by one's own discretion or judgment. For example — discretionary income.

How do you pronounce "discretionary" in American vs British English?

American English: /dɪsˈkɹɛʃəˌnɛɹi/. British English: /dɪˈskɹɛʃən(ə)ɹi/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "discretionary"?

/dɪsˈkɹɛʃəˌnɛɹi/ in American English, /dɪˈskɹɛʃən(ə)ɹi/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "discretionary"?

“discretionary” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /dɪsˈkɹɛʃəˌnɛɹi/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.