selective

adjective

se·​lec·​tive sə-ˈlek-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by selection : selecting or tending to select

2

: highly specific in activity or effect

selective pesticides

selective absorption

selectively adverb

selectiveness noun

selectivity

sə-ˌlek-ˈti-və-tē 

ˌsē-

noun

Synonyms of selective

• particular
• choosy
• picky
• nice

Examples of selective in a Sentence

The club is selective in choosing members.

The college has a highly selective admissions process.

Recent Examples on the Web

Congress members’ own backgrounds, largely shaped by selective public and private universities, only deepen the disconnect. —Yolanda Watson Spiva, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025

Adelman would rather be selective than over-reliant on his superstar’s post-ups. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025

Our picks run the gamut—from home decor gems to high-tech gadgets, skin-care gift sets to culinary staples— but are still selective enough to feel special during the big unboxing reveal. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2025

And that’s selective prosecution. —Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing selective

• selective breeding
• selective estrogen receptor modulator
• selective memory
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
• selective service

Rhymes for selective

• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective
• corrective
• defective
• detective
• directive
• effective
• elective
• infective

Kids Definition

selective

adjective

se·​lec·​tive sə-ˈlek-tiv 

: of or relating to selection : selecting or tending to select

selective shoppers

Medical Definition

selective

adjective

se·​lec·​tive sə-ˈlek-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by selection : selecting or tending to select

2

: highly specific in activity or effect

selective pesticides

selective permeability of a plasma membrane

selectively adverb